Sunderland AFC forward Ta Bi Jocelin headlines Ivory Coast's final 23-man squad for their 2027 U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Kenya, with the two sides set to meet at Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday, November 11.The winger is one of six forwards selected by head coach Sébastien Bannier for the second-round first leg against Anthony Kimani's Emerging Stars, who will be seeking a positive result on home soil.##NAJAVA_MECA_10104602##Ta Bi will be joined in attack by Bamba Souhalio of ASEC Mimosas, Hamed Coulibaly of FC San Pedro, Oumar Konaté of Stade Lavallois, Mamadou Koné of FC Lorient and Christ Hylarion Goore of KAA Gent.The selection also features several players based in Europe, including Getafe defender Valou Jean Yves, Toulouse's Christ Tapé, Cercle Brugge duo Valy Konaté and Emmanuel Junior Kakou, as well as Slavia Prague midfielder Toumani Diakité.Ivory Coast have named three goalkeepers, eight defenders and six midfielders alongside their six forwards as they look to secure an advantage ahead of the return fixture.FKF speaks on reports of McDonald Mariga being replaced as vice-presidentKenya reached the second round after edging Tanzania 5-4 on aggregate, while the Ivorians received a bye in the opening round.Wednesday's encounter kicks off at 3 pm, with the return leg scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan.The winner of the two-legged tie will advance to the third and final qualifying round, where a place at the 2027 U23 AFCON in Egypt will be at stake. The final round of qualification is scheduled for March 2027.##NAJAVA_MECA_10104647##Ivory Coast squad to face Kenya Goalkeepers: Konan Yvann Birama (Olympique Lyon), Zigui Christian Yoro (Stella Club d’Adjamé), Kouassi Kombo Ulrich Landry (FC San Pedro).Defenders: Valou Jean Yves (Getafe), Touré Yomi Joress (AFAD Plateau), Fofana Bangaly (FC San Pedro), Tapé Christ (FC Toulouse), Konaté Valy (Cercle Brugge), Karamoko Mouhamadou (FC San Pedro), Kakou Emmanuel Junior (Cercle Brugge), Bamba Abdoul Goudousse (Ilves).Midfielders: Zaouai Bi Alexandres Hugues (SC Bastia), Koné Mohamed Abdoul Kader (FC Annecy), Fofana Souleymane (FC Annecy), Ekou N’Guetta Rodolphe (FK Liepaja), Doué Guélanda Eddy (Estrela Amadora), Diakité Toumani (Slavia Prague).Forwards: Bamba Souhalio (ASEC Mimosas), Coulibaly Hamed (FC San Pedro), Ta Bi Jocelin (Sunderland AFC), Konaté Oumar (Stade Lavallois), Koné Mamadou (FC Lorient), Goore Bi Christ Hylarion (KAA Gent).McCarthy threatens FIFA, CAF action over unpaid salaries as Harambee Stars face South Africa
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