Mohamed Diomande has received his first senior call-up from Ivory Coast just days after declaring his intentions to represent the country of his birth.
The Ghana-trained midfielder was previously named in the Black Stars squad for friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda in March but requested time to make a decision over his international future.
Having spent most of his life in Ghana, the 22-year-old was eligible to play for the four-time African champions. However, Diomande disclosed his desire to play for the Elephants in an interview with Malick Traore on NOSTA Foot.
“My dream has always been to represent Ivory Coast, the country of my parents,” he said.
Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae named the Rangers winger in his 25-man squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Gabon and Kenya in June.
Diomande has already made an appearance at the youth level for the African champions and was named in the U23 squad for a friendly against France in March but missed the match due to his Black Stars invitation.
