Head coach Herve Renard has added Jean Ives Valou, the 20-year-old Getafe centre-back, to the Ivory Coast senior national team ahead of the return match against Gambia, the FIF confirmed.
The news broke on Saturday evening and it is official: the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) has confirmed Jean Ives Valou’s call-up to the Elephants. The 20-year-old centre-back leaves the U23 squad to join the senior team, with the return match against Gambia in the fourth round of qualifying for AFCON 2027 approaching, according to Africa Soccer.
The timing is tight: Valou joins the squad just three days before the trip to the Independence Stadium in Bakau, where the Ivorians face Gambia on Tuesday. An express call-up that could lead to a first cap with the senior team, just days after his first call-up, Nigeria Soccer Net reports.
Seven appearances for Getafe this season
Valou has made seven appearances for Getafe this season, according to Africa Soccer. At 20, the centre-back moves straight from the U23 team to the senior national team in a matter of days.
Herve Renard has brought the young defender into the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign, Africa Soccer specifies.
Gambia, then Ghana in their sights
Ivory Coast took the advantage in the double header with Gambia by winning 2-1 on Thursday in Bouaké, with goals from Malick Yalcouye and Elye Wahi, Nigeria Soccer Net reports. A second win on Tuesday in Bakau would leave the Elephants needing only a draw against Ghana on the next matchday to qualify for AFCON 2027, according to Africa Soccer.
Valou could make his senior debut on this trip, according to Nigeria Soccer Net. The return match against Gambia is played on Tuesday 17 November 2026 in Bakau.
U23s deprived of their defender
Valou’s departure deprives the U23 team of its centre-back on the eve of a decisive fixture. Head coach Sebastien Bannier must see his players overturn a 2-1 defeat suffered last Wednesday in Nairobi against Kenya, in the qualifying play-off for the U23 AFCON, according to Africa Soccer. The return match is scheduled for Tuesday 17 November in Abidjan.
For Bannier, his player’s promotion to the senior team complicates the mission. The match against Ghana is due to follow on the next qualifying matchday.