When Wilfried Zaha made his England debut back in 2012, he was a 20-year-old with the world at his feet.
Now 24, the Crystal Palace winger is back in South London after seeing his career hit a wall at Manchester United, and indeed he played just one more time for the Three Lions after moving to Old Trafford – a substitute appearance against Scotland in August 2013.
And after being left out of yet another England squad despite winning Palace’s Player of the Year award last season, he has decided that he won’t wait any longer for his chance.
Instead, Zaha has declared for Côte d’Ivoire, the country of his birth – just in time for the Africa Cup of Nations holders to defend their title.
#Football Wilfred Zaha accepte de jouer pour la Côte d'Ivoire et intègre les Eléphants. #CivSport pic.twitter.com/IvHddPUdCa
— Fernand Dédeh (@FernandDdeh) November 27, 2016
As both of Zaha’s England caps came in friendlies, he is free to switch his international allegiances.
The Elephants have been drawn with the Democratic Republic of Congo – who hope to have former England Under-21 striker Benik Afobe in their squad – as well as Morocco and Togo.
While some Palace fans are pleased to see their star man on the verge of long overdue international recognition, others are terrified at the prospect of losing Zaha in January, especially with the club sitting just outside the Premier League’s bottom three.
If Zaha does play in the AFCON in January we are screwed. He carries us week in week out.
— Liam (@CpfcDoe) November 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/HarryL97/status/802997418732220416
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