Nicolas Pépé returns to action with Villarreal

Having been sidelined since 29 September, the Ivorian winger made his comeback on Tuesday 27 October in the Copa del Rey.

During the Ivorian national team’s most recent training camp as part of the September–October international break, Nicolas Pépé had left his team-mates to be present for the birth of his child, before undergoing eye surgery. Pépé had not played since that operation.

But the 31-year-old winger returned to action on Tuesday 27 October. He played a part in his team’s resounding victory by scoring the fifth goal against Manacor in the Copa del Rey.

This return to action, capped off with a goal, is good news for Côte d’Ivoire as the November international break approaches. The Elephants are set to face The Gambia in a double-header on 12 and 17 November, as part of the third and fourth matchdays of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Pépé’s return thus offers hope to head coach Hervé Renard, who could count on his winger for these two decisive matches in the race for the Africa Cup of Nations, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in 2027.