Prime News Ghana

Zaha switches to play for Ivory Coast

By Michael Abayateye
Zaha(middle) will feature for Ivory Coast in the AFCON in January
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Crystal Palace are preparing to lose Wilfried Zaha in January for up to five weeks after the winger switched allegiance to the Ivory Coast.

Zaha grew wary of being repeatedly overlooked by England despite strong form and made the decision to play for the country of his birth. 

The 24-year-old met with Augustin Sidy Diallo, president of the Ivorian Football Federation, and the team's manager Michel Dussuyer before opting to turn his back on England. 

Zaha was born in Abidjan but moved to south London with his family at four years old. He has made two senior appearances for England but both came in friendlies, against Sweden and Scotland, leaving him eligible to move. He has not been selected for England since 2013.

It comes as a huge blow to Palace who had hoped that interim England manager Gareth Southgate, who is set to be given the role permanently this week, would pick Zaha for the national team and change his mind. 

Given current form - they have lost six straight matches leaving manager Alan Pardew on the brink of the sack - Zaha's absence would be keenly felt in what is turning into a relegation struggle.

The 2017 Africa Cup of Nations runs from January 14 to February 5 and should the Ivory Coast progress to the final Zaha would miss crucial club matches against West Ham, Everton, Bournemouth and Sunderland.

The IFF announced in a statement on Sunday night: 'The Ivorian-English attacking midfielder Wilfried Zaha has chosen to play for the Elephants, under the colours of the Ivory Coast, his country of origin. 

'The player has sent, on this Sunday November 27 2016, correspondence to FIFA to change his national team. 

'Approached several weeks ago by the Federation Ivoirienne de Football (FIF), Wilfried Zaha has made his choice this Sunday in London.

'In the presence of his father, of Augustin Sidy Diallo (president of the FIF) and Michel Dussuyer (Elephants coach), he signed at the bottom of the demand to change his sporting nationality addressed to FIFA.

'Born on November 10 in Abidjan, Wilfried Zaha grew up in England, the country for which he made two appearances in friendly matches. However, the Crystal Palace player remains eligible to play for the Ivory Coast.'

All that is required now is for the English Football Association to complete the relevant paperwork for the switch to be completed. Mail Online

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