Yaya Toure asks for Cote d’Ivoire rest

Manchester City midfielder, Yaya Toure, has asked to be left out of Cote d’Ivoire’s squad for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone.

Coach Michel Dussuyer said Toure is still thinking about his international future so won’t be available for the match on September 6 to be played in the Nigerian city of Lagos as Sierra Leone are banned from hosting matches at home due to the Ebola crisis.

“At the moment he’s in a period of reflection about his international future,” Dussuyer said.

“I met him in London and told him I was counting on him. He’s a big player and the captain of the team. I hope he’ll continue his adventure with us.”

Toure said in March that he was considering whether to continue playing for the 2015 AFCON winners.

Dussuyer also explained the absence of Newcastle’s Cheick Tiote, plus Siaka Tiene and Lacina Traore for the match.

“As for Cheick Tiote we tried to get in contact with him through various means but there was no sign of life,” he said.

“I just wish he had made his position clear. Siaka Tiene still doesn’t have a club. As for Lacina Traore and Tallo Gadji, I have to make a choice but it doesn’t mean that I won’t call on them in the future.

“They will just have to play well for their clubs.”

Cote d’Ivoire and Gabon drew 1-1 in June while Sierra Leone lost their opening AFCON qualifier 1-0 to Group I opponents Sudan.

The group also includes 2017 hosts Gabon but their matches will not count towards qualification.

Only the group winners advance to the finals.

COTE D’IVOIRE SQUAD

Goalkeepers

Sylvain Gbohou (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Ali Sangare Badra (Asec Mimosas) Made Sayouba (Stabaek, Norway)

Defenders

Serge Aurier (PSG, France), Mamadou Bagayoko (KV St Trond, Belgium), Eric Bailly (Villareal, Spain), Simon Deli (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic), Sheriff Jymoh (Athletic Adjame), Franck Kessie (Cesena, Italy), Adama Traore (Basel, Switzerland), Ousmane Viera (Rizespor, Turkey)

Midfielders

Jean Daniel Akpa Akpro (Toulouse FC, France), Ismael Diomande (St Etienne, France), Yao Serge N’Guessan (AFAD), Geoffrey Serey Die (VFB Stuttgart, Germany), Jean Michael Seri (OGC Nice, France)

Forwards

Wilfried Bony (Manchester City, England), Seydou Doumbia (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Gervinho (AS Roma, Italy), Max Gradel (Bournemouth, England), Salomon Kalou (Hertha Berlin, Germany), Giovanni Sio (Rennes, France), Thomas Toure (Bordeaux, France)