PSG's Aurier returns to Ivory Coast squad for crucial AFCON 2017 qualifier

Ivory Coast have invited Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) defender, Serge Aurier, for their final 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Sierra Leone.

The PSG man is one of 23 players in the Elephants squad released on Thursday by coach Michel Dussuyer. The Frenchman took charge of the team in July 2015 and is expected to lead them on a successful defence of the AFCON trophy they currently hold.

Ivory Coast, are top of Group I with 5 points, there is however no room for error against the Sierra Leone team that has a chance to qualify as they have 4 points.

The match will be played at the Stadium of Peace in Bouake in a weeks’ time on September 3.

The 23 players selected:

Goalkeepers:

Sylvain Gbohouo ((TP Mazembe / DRC), Mande Sayouba (Stabaek / Norway), Badra Ali Sangaré (AS Tanda / Ivory Coast)

Defenders:

Serge Aurier (Paris SG / France), Eric Bailly (Manchester United / England), Simon Deli (Slavia Prague / Czech Republic), Ousmane Viera Diarrassouba (Adanaspor / Turkey), Marc Mahan Goua (ASEC Mimosas / Ivory Coast), Wilfried Kanon (ADO the Hague / Holland), Lamine Kone (Sunderland AFC / England), Adama Traore (FC Basel / Switzerland)

Midfieldes:

Victorian Angban (Granada CF / Spain), Diomandé Ishmael (SM Caen / France), Cheick Doukouré (FC Metz / France), Franck Kessié (Atlanta Bergamo / Italy), Yao N’Guessan Serge (AS Nancy Lorraine / France) Jean Michael Seri (OGC Nice / France)

Forwards:

Max Gradel (AFC Bournemouth / England), Gervinho (Hebei Fortune FC / China), Salomon Kalou (Hertha Berlin / Germany), Jonathan Kodjia (Bristol City FC / England), Giovanni Sio (Rennes / France), Thomas Touré (Girondins Bordeaux / France)