Team news – Pepe starts for Ivory Coast, Valencia fit for Ecuadorpublished at 23:28 BST
Ivory Coast v Ecuador (00:00 BST)
Roma defender Evan Ndicka is not fit to start after being an injury doubt but is on the bench for the Elephants ahead of their Group E opener. The African outfit’s manager Emerse
Fae had some decisions to make in attack and he’s gone for former Arsenal man Nicolas Pepe along with Yan Diomande and Elye Wahi which means Manchester United’s Amad Diallo is on the bench along with Sunderland’s Simon Adringa, Evan Guessand and Ange-Yoan Bonny.
Ivory Coast: And Fofana; Doue, Singo, Barn, Conan; Y Diamond Kessie, S Fofana, Toure; Pepe, Revelation.
Image source, BBC SportEnd of Valencia is fit to start which is a huge boost for Ecuador as the veteran forward is their main goal threat. Former Brighton man Pervis Estupina is a surprise exclusion from their starting line-up. Sunderland’s Nilson Angulo is also on the bench but Arsenal’s Piero Hincapie starts in a strong defence.
Ecuador: Galindez; Ordonez, Pacho, Hincapie; Minda, Franco, Caicedo, Vite; Plata, Valencia, Yeboah.
Image source, BBC Sport
