IVORY COAST FORWARD Wilfried Zaha is considering his international future after the Crystal Palace star asked to be left out of his country’s forthcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Zaha was missing from the squad to face Mozambique and Cameroon, with Ivory Coast boss Patrice Beaumelle revealing on Thursday the 28-year-old was unwilling to travel.
Zaha missed Palace’s Premier League match against Arsenal last month because of illness after playing 74 minutes of Ivory Coast’s victory over Malawi in Abidjan.
“A few days ago Zaha sent me a message to say that each time he comes on international duty, he goes home sick,” Beaumelle told reporters.
“He asked me not to be selected in November because he wants to think over his international future.”
Zaha has scored five goals in 21 appearances for Ivory Coast since switching allegiance from England to make his debut in 2017.
However, Zaha has played just three matches for the Elephants in 2021 and did not feature in the June and September international windows.
His decision to miss the qualifiers put in doubt the rest of his international career.
Zaha, who scored for Palace in their shock win at Premier League champions Manchester City on Saturday, could opt out of the African Cup of Nations in January.
Currently first in Group D with 10 points, Ivory Coast are only one point ahead of Cameroon as they battle to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.
“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,” Beaumelle said.
The UFC might aswell not have rankings and contenders anymore.
@Ciarán: Woodley faught Maia, Wonderboy*2 and Lawler in his last 4 fights: each the highest rank possible at the time… If anyone should be allowed a money fight its him. Besides, in diaz’s last 2 fights, he beat a champion and then lost to the same guy on a narrow decision. So compared to other welterweights he isnt an absurd choice… Its nothing like Bisping: making his 1st defence against someone not even in the top 10 and his 2nd defence against someone who hadnt faught in 4 years.
Coincidence that McGregor and Diaz will both have titles before their rematch? Not that I’m complaining, would be hard not to get excited about the build up to that.
@Johnny: what title will Diaz have? No chance will he beat Woodley
@Connery83: 100% agree, Diaz is the perfect style for Woodley to fight. Plus hed have no excuse to be cautious in this one.
@Connery83: Woodley barely beat Maia even the the entire fight was fought on the feat. Diaz is more than a match for him on the feet and if it goes to the ground Diaz is more than comfortable fighting on top or from his back. Diaz will beat him.
@Johnny: Maia is possibly the best at bjj in the entire ufc. Woodley was being cautious to avoid his submissions, but was comfortably better on the feet. Fans were angry that he didnt try to finish him. He also beat Wonderboy who is one of the best strikers
@Johnny: Woodley will punch a hole through his face. I actually fear for Nate in this fight, as he is so durable. Mate defends with his face and against the hardest hitter at 170 that’s a recipe for disaster
That’s preposterous! What has he done to deserve a shot
@Patrick Dara Kelly: Been the only person since 2010 to beat McGregor, a 2 weight champion, in mma.
@Rudiger McMonihan: fair achievement but why has that put him in line for a title shot, he’s 3-3 at 170.
He smokes a hell a lot of weed, with Conor the King of Coke and the majority of the roster on some kind drugs he’s perfect.
@Malachy Rivers: The main difference between them and athletes in other sports is the testing. Has a football player ever been caught using PEDs?
Great fight Woodley has me blocked on twitter so I hope he gets a beating:)