OFFICIAL: Wilfried Zaha turns back on England to represent Ivory Coast

November 28, 2016
By: Milos Markovic

zahaAfter weeks of thorough consideration, the Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha has made his mind and decided to switch his international allegiance from England to Ivory Coast.

Frustrated by lack of chances with the England national team he represented twice since 2012, the 24-year-old winger has decided to turn his back on the Three Lions and wear the shirt of the country he was born in.

Abidjan-born footballer has been a rare bright spark in otherwise Crystal Palace’s disappointing season so far with two goals and five assists to his name but it was not enough to see his name included in Gareth Southgate’s plan for England’s 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign.

Having in mind that Zaha did not feature for England in a competitive fixture, he remained eligible to switch allegiance and went on to make up his mind on his international future on Sunday.

Zaha’s decision was confirmed by the Ivorian Football Federation with the official statement which reads:

“The player addressed on Sunday 27 November 2016 in a letter to FIFA to change his team of representation.

“Approached a few weeks by the Ivorian Football Federation [FIF], Wilfried Zaha has made his choice this Sunday in London.

“In the presence of his father, FIF president Augustin Sidy Diallo and national team coach Michel Dussuyer, he put his signature to the request for change of national sport representation addressed to FIFA.”

The 24-year-old Crystal Palace star was first approached by former Arsenal man Gervinho, the Ivory Coast captain currently plying his trade for Hebei China Fortune.

With Zaha set to put on the Ivory Coast shirt as early as in January during the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon, Premier League side Crystal Palace will receive a huge blow as their most prominent first-team member is likely to miss the games against West Ham, Everton, Bournemouth and Sunderland.

Crystal Palace are due to play host to Southampton on Saturday at Selhurst Park and are looking at the betting odds of 3.30 (23/10) @Bet365 to grab the much-needed three points against the Saints and remain above the relegation zone.

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