Nicolas Pepe Recalled to Ivory Coast Squad
Nicolas Pepe, a forward for the Ivory Coast national football team, has received a recall to the squad following an injury that sidelined teenage star, Yann Diomande, preventing him from participating in this month’s warm-up matches for the World Cup.
Initially, Pepe was not included in the national team roster for the friendly matches against South Korea, scheduled to take place in Milton Keynes, England, and against Scotland in Liverpool on March 31. This exclusion marks a noteworthy point in his career, as he had been previously omitted from the Africa Cup of Nations tournament held in Morocco earlier in the year, where the Ivorian team, which was defending its title, faced an unexpected elimination at the quarter-final stage.
Pepe’s Recent Performance and Controversial Past
The 30-year-old Pepe, who transferred from Arsenal and has been playing for Villarreal, has managed to score five goals in LaLiga this season. However, his return to the national team comes after a period of scrutiny; he last represented the Elephants in October when he earned his 50th cap.
Pepe stirred controversy with remarks made in a YouTube video, in which he commented on Morocco’s disappointing record at the Africa Cup of Nations. Following backlash, he issued an apology but later claimed to have experienced racial abuse online, voicing concerns about a lack of support from the Ivorian Football Federation.
World Cup Preparations for Ivory Coast
The Ivory Coast national team is set to compete in World Cup Group E, facing tough opponents including Ecuador, Germany, and Curacao. As they prepare for the tournament, the inclusion of Pepe may inject much-needed experience into the squad, especially in light of their recent challenges on the international stage.
