Zaha switches allegiance to Ivory Coast ahead of AFCON 2017

Wilfried Zaha has chosen to represent Ivory Coast at international level, despite making two appearances for England before.

The Crystal Palace winger played for the Three Lions in two friendly matches against Sweden and Scotland in November 2012 and August 2013 respectively.

But the 24-year-old, who was born in Abidjan, remained eligible for his home nation as he has not played for England in a competitive fixture.

“Ivorian-English offensive midfielder Wilfried Zaha has decided to now play with the Elephants under the colours of the Ivory Coast, the country of his origin,” a statement from the Ivorian Football Federation read.

“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”, he added.

Zaha is now in contention to play at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in January.