Wilfried Zaha has expressed delight after debuting for Ivory Coast with an assist in a friendly against Sweden yesterday in Abu Dhabi.
Zaha, 24, assisted Giovanni Sio’s 50th minute winner as they rallied to overcome the European opposition 2-1.
“I’m very happy to play my first game with Ivory Coast,” the Crystal Palace winger posted on his Facebook page after the match.
Earlier, Wilfred Kanon turned the ball into his own net – failing to clear Nicklas Barkroth’s cross to gift Sweden the lead in the 42nd, however, Yao Serge Nguessan restored parity on the stroke of half time.
Zaha, who snubbed England for the Elephants despite rising through the ranks, come on as a second half substitute to deliver a peach of a cross from the right, which Giovanni headed home for the winner.
Ivory Coast have been sharpening for the upcoming AFCON and will play one more warm-up against Uganda in Abu Dhabi before leaving for Gabon Thursday.
They will open their title defense against Togo on January 16 in group “C.”
