AFCON 2027 qualifiers: Emmanuel Agbadou leaves Ivory Coast camp

The Ivorian centre-back will not continue the international break with the Elephants.

Suffering from a thigh and knee injury, Emmanuel Agbadou has been given permission to leave the squad and return to his club, Besiktas, in Turkey. In a statement released on Sunday 15 November, the Ivorian Football Federation announced the player’s release following an assessment carried out by the Elephants’ medical staff.

According to the governing body of Ivorian football, Emmanuel Agbadou is experiencing discomfort in his thigh and knee. As a precautionary measure and in the player’s best interests, it was therefore decided to allow him to return to his club so that he can receive appropriate treatment.

This decision means the Ivorian national team will be without their defender for the fourth matchday qualifier for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations against The Gambia, scheduled for 17 November. The Elephants will therefore have to manage without him for this match. The Ivory Coast won the first leg 2-1 in Bouaké on 12 November.