Ivory Coast: the new gem Yaya Kader Fofana who has impressed Hervé Renard

Ivory Coast's next rising star

Africa Today at 11:02

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Ivory Coast: the new gem Yaya Kader Fofana who has impressed Hervé Renard

Yaya Kader Fofana is the new face attracting attention in Hervé Renard's squad for the two-legged clash against Gambia in the 3rd and 4th rounds of qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. The young talent is being rewarded for his excellent start to the season with Stade de Reims.

Last Thursday, Ivory Coast coach Hervé Renard called up young Yaya Kader Fofana for these two matches in qualifying for the next Africa Cup of Nations against Gambia. The 22-year-old midfielder is highly anticipated in the national team, which has the chance to make a big statement against its toughest opponent in the group (both teams have 6 points).

Yaya Kader Fofana on fire at Reims

Ivorian international Yaya Kader Fofana has been shining brightly since the start of the season at Reims in Ligue 2. While some of his new teammates play for major clubs such as Yan Diomandé (Real Madrid), Amad Diallo (Manchester United) and Ange-Yoan Bonny (Inter, but ultimately ruled out), Fofana has been a joy to watch for the Champagne club, who sit fourth in the second division after 12 matchdays, 4 points behind second place, which earns promotion at the end of the season. The Ivorian is even carrying his team on his shoulders.

The attacking midfielder is Ligue 2's top scorer, having already scored 10 goals (as well as providing 3 assists). Fofana has scored 9 goals in his last 8 matches. Before this season, he had scored just once as a professional.

De la Ligue 2 BKT aux Éléphants ! 🇨🇮 Yaya Fofana affrontera la Gambie demain à 20h00 ! https://t.co/DKnMZosS0N
— Ligue 2 BKT (@Ligue2BKT) November 11, 2026

Yaya Kader Fofana has come a long way

After joining RC Lens's reserve team in the summer of 2022, having trained at the Afrique Football Élite academy, Yaya Kader Fofana signed for Reims a year later, where he made his first Ligue 1 appearances towards the end of the season after impressing with the reserve team. However, his progress came to an abrupt halt in January 2025 when he suffered a tibial stress fracture that kept him out for a year. He did not return until February 2026, easing back into action with 9 Ligue 2 appearances in the second half of the season, playing just 65 minutes in total.

“He is a pure talent. He has it in him, and I think technically, even though he has now been injured for a very long time, I am convinced that if he picks up a ball tomorrow, his technique will be much more effortless than average,” Teddy Teuma said.

Clearly, Yaya Fofana is hungry and making up for lost time.

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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.