Guéla Doué ruled out, Luck Zogbé called up as reinforcement, controversy in Côte d'Ivoire

During this international break, Côte d'Ivoire will play Ghana (September 24, Bouaké) and Somalia (September 29, Félicia) in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. The Elephants will also play a third match against Cameroon in a friendly. This clash will take place on October 3 at the Ebimpé stadium. For these three fixtures, Hervé Renard will be without Odilon Kossounou and Guéla Doué due to physical setbacks. The replacement for the new Bayer Leverkusen player, none other than Luck Zogbé, has not been entirely well received.

Luck Zogbé, 68 minutes played this season

Luck Zogbé, the ideal choice to replace Guéla Doué? The numbers speak for themselves. The 21-year-old right back is not enjoying the best start to his season. He is lacking playing time at Stade Brestois. Only 68 minutes played since the beginning of the new Ligue 1 campaign. He has only played and started in the third matchday away against Le Havre, a 2-1 victory for his team. The former LYS Sassandra player was substituted in the 68th minute. Since then, nothing.

Against Le Mans (matchday 1), Toulouse FC (matchday 2), PSG (matchday 4) and AJ Auxerre (matchday 5), Luck Zogbé was a regular on the bench. The 21-year-old made no appearances whatsoever. A situation that raises questions. What pleaded in favour of the young defender for his return to the national team during this international break?

This choice by Hervé Renard has surprised Ivorian supporters. They did not hesitate to react on social media.

"How many matches has Luck ZOGBÉ played to be called up to the squad? Pff," posted Claveline LEVRY on X.

"Ok thanks for the information but Luck doesn't play enough, same for Yan, but I'll put it down to it being the first squad list and the fact that it's September.," tempers Gnagbo Zobel on Facebook.

Franck Hattman did not mince his words on Facebook about the player: "Zogbé is not at the required level. We've already seen that on several occasions."

"Did you think carefully before choosing Luck Zogbé at the expense of a certain A. Ouattara? Luck has only 60 minutes of play to his name, he barely plays at club level and has never convinced, either at club or international level, whether in the senior team or the U23s. Can you therefore explain this choice to us, because in my opinion, it is a very poor choice?," said Veronique Brute in a comment under the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football's post.

Luck Zogbé, 4 matches without a standout performance with the Elephants

Beyond his lack of playing time at Stade Brestois this season, Luck Zogbé has never delivered a standout performance in an Elephants shirt. In 4 matches, the 21-year-old right back has never given satisfaction. This is indeed what raises the most questions: why select a player who has never been among the top performers in the national team and who, on top of that, is currently lacking playing time at club level?

Luck Zogbé earned his first cap against New Zealand on June 7, 2025, in Canada in a friendly. Having played the full 90 minutes, the right back was unable to prevent the Elephants' 1-0 defeat. Against Canada in a friendly, and against Burundi and Gabon in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, he failed to show the defensive solidity and security required.

During the September-October break, Luck Zogbé, if selected by Hervé Renard, must put an end to the controversy by delivering solid performances. A new opportunity for the native of Vieil Ousrou (a village located in the south of Côte d'Ivoire, belonging to the department of Dabou) to finally convince, by showcasing his various qualities.