Ivory Coast federation have have said  Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, who played two friendlies for England, has decided to switch international football allegiance to the west African nation.

The announcement comes ahead of the African Cup of Nations, which is being played in the middle of the Premier League season in January and Zaha would be used to fill the void left by Gervinho who has been ruled out of Afcon due to injury.

The 24-year-old Zaha played for England in 2012 and 2013 but because neither match was a competitive fixture, the Abidjan-born player can turn out for Ivory Coast. Zaha moved to London at the age of four with his family.

Ivory Coast’s football federation said on its website that Zaha signed the forms on Sunday to change his sporting nationality and they’re being sent to FIFA.

Zaha was pictured with Ivory Coast coach Michel Dussuyer and federation president Sidy Diallo.

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com