“Making the national team was a goal when I came here,” says Elye Wahi, explaining his decision to join Nice

The striker arrived in Nice with the aim of reviving his progress and securing a place in the Ivory Coast national team.

In an interview with L'Equipe, Elye Wahi discussed the reasons behind his decision to join Nice on loan from Frankfurt last winter. He revealed that the Elephants’ manager, Ermese Fae, had shown faith in him by encouraging his move.

That trust has paid off, as the player earned his first call-up to the Ivory Coast national team during the March 2026 international break. While awaiting Emerse Fae’s official squad list for the World Cup scheduled for this summer in the United States, Canada and Mexico, Elye Wahi remains calm.

Making the national team was a goal when I came here. I put my trust in coach Fae; he felt that with my temperament, it would work out in Nice. And he put his trust in me; I earned my first call-up before the World Cup, which made me happy. I won’t say anything until the squad is announced, but it’s fine, I didn’t play badly against Scotland.