Wilfred Zaha is not in the Ivory Coast team. Again. Crystal Palace forward and former England international cited personal reasons for his decision, but this time, he is even thinking about retiring from international duty. But Beaumelle’s comments have caused surprise and he is understood to have misinterpreted what were thought to be private discussions about elements of the Ivory Coast setup, according to Daily Mail. The Elephants will host Mozambique first on November 13 at home before making a trip to Cameroon where the will take on Indomitable Lions on November 16 for a decisive game to determine who will make it through to the next round.Ivory Coast🇨🇮 head coach Patrice Beaumelle names a 25-man squad for the upcoming @FIFAWorldCup qualifiers against Mozambique🇲🇿 (13 November) and Cameroon🇨🇲 (16 November) without Crystal Palace star Wilfred Zaha who requested not to be called. #CIV225 #Cameroon 📷@LKsportif pic.twitter.com/8ELQeGMFy3— Aimé Atti (@CesaireAtti) November 4, 2021 And the Ivory Coast coach explained the reasons Zaha gave him in a text message.„A few days ago Zaha sent me a message and asked not to come because he becomes home sick at each break. He asked me not to be selected in November because he wants to think over his international future. I want soldiers, warriors who even with one knee on the ground will come to the selection. It is a message that I send loud and clear to each player“ explained Beaumelle. 🇨🇮 Wilfried Zaha has asked to be left out of Ivory Coast’s squad for the upcoming international break.The Palace legend is said to be reconsidering his international future, as he becomes homesick after each meeting. #CPFC #CIV pic.twitter.com/AGMsKNhIw0— • CPFC EAGLES • (@CPFCEaglesss) November 4, 2021 This is not the first time that the Crystal Palace forward declined the offer of the Elephants. In 2018, the Ivorian declined the invitation of Ibrahim Kamara, who was training the team at the time, citing personal concerns. But this time, the decision was taken with Ivory Coast in pole position in their group to reach the play-offs heading into their final two games but also in light of the illness Zaha suffered last month.Zaha played youth international football for England and was called up by former Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson for friendlies against Sweden and Scotland in 2012 and 2013 respectively. However, he was not handed an England recall for three years after his two substitute cameo appearances under Hodgson – with the winger switching allegiance to Ivory Coast when Gareth Southgate became boss. The Crystal Palace icon was able to switch international teams as he had not played in a competitive match for England when the decision was made. After he decided to play for the Elephants, Zaha has made 20 international appearances for the Ivory Coast, scoring five times. Crystal Palace forward also played in two AFCON tournaments in 2017 and 2019, but is uncertain for the next one, which starts in January, as he is rethinking his international involvement.
