AFCON 2027 qualifying – Côte d'Ivoire: Emmanuel Agbadou doubtful against Gambia

Bad news for Hervé Renard

Africa Today at 05:05

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AFCON 2027 qualifying – Côte d'Ivoire: Emmanuel Agbadou doubtful against Gambia

12.11.26 14:00 AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations

Ivory Coast

Gambia

A major blow for Côte d’Ivoire just hours before their AFCON 2027 qualifying match against Gambia. Emmanuel Agbadou could miss the game.

Ivorian centre-back Emmanuel Agbadou is a major doubt after picking up a knee injury during the latest training sessions under Hervé Renard. Speaking at a press conference, the Ivorian coach confirmed his player's fitness problem, which now puts his availability for the match in doubt.

Le groupe des Éléphants est au complet, à l’exception d’Emmanuel Agbadou, incertain en raison d’une légère blessure. #FootballCIV https://t.co/jwcKDBY4dS
— Le Kpakpato Sportif (@LKsportif) November 11, 2026

The medical staff are holding their breath as they await the final tests to determine how long the player will be sidelined.

Hervé Renard very confident

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday evening at the Stade de la Paix, Côte d'Ivoire coach Hervé Renard expressed confidence in the quality of his squad, while calling on his players to show humility and remain alert against Gambia.

“We have confidence in the quality of this team. We need to be ourselves and show great humility and respect for this Gambian team. We know their strengths and how they make life difficult for their opponents. We are ready for this challenge, and it is up to us to rise to it,” he said.

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Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.