Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha makes competitive debut as Ivory Coast are held to 0-0 draw by Togo

Zaha in action for the Ivory Coast
AFP/Getty Images
James Benge16 January 2017

Wilfried Zaha’s competitive debut for the Ivory Coast ended in disappointment as the holders were held to a 0-0 draw by Togo in their first game of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Crystal Palace winger declared his availability late last year and having made his first appearance for the Ivory Coast outside a friendly game will no longer be available to England, for whom he had two caps in friendlies and had been offered a last-minute chance to return to the fold by Gareth Southgate.

Ivory Coast manager Henri Dussuyer deployed Zaha on the right of a three-man attack that included Jonathan Kodjia and Solomon Kalou, with Chelsea target Franck Kessie in the Ivorian midfield.

In a game of few chances Zaha went closest for the Elephants, who ranked among the pre-tournament favourites, driving at the defence in the 68th minute before seeing by a defender. He was withdrawn soon after, Stoke striker Wilfried Bony taking his place.

London stars at the Africa Cup of Nations

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Kodjo Laba and Mathieu Dossevi both missed chances for Togo in the closing minutes as the Ivory Coast became the latest challenger to be held by an underdog, Algeria having been denied by Zimbabwe in a 2-2 draw on Sunday.

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