Choosing To Defend The Ivory Coast National Team Instead Of England In A Friendly Match, Southgate Understands Wilfried Zaha's Decision

Wilfred Zaha (Instagram.com/@wilfriedzaha)

JAKARTA - England national team coach, Gareth Southgate admits he understands Wilfried Zaha's decision to choose to defend Ivory Coast rather than his team.

This was revealed by Southgate ahead of the meeting of the two countries on Wednesday, March 30 at Wembley Stadium in a friendly match.

"He (Wilfried Zaha) feels Ivory Coast is the way out and I understand that very well. It's hard to say what role he might get with us," Southgate said.

Zaha has defended the England national team since last November. Since his debut, he has appeared twice for The Three Lions,

Reported from the same source, although he has twice defended the England national team, Zaha is allowed to change teams. Because apart from being a friendly match, Zaha himself is registered as an Ivorian citizen since he decided to move in 2016.

Regarding Zaha's background, this 29-year-old player is a footballer born in Abidjan, the biggest city in Ivory Coast. However, at the age of four, Zaha moved to London, England.

Since having Ivory Coast citizenship in 2016, Zaha has recorded 26 appearances for his country. He has even had the opportunity to appear in the African Cup of Nations three times.

Southgate then assessed Zaha as a player who always tries to perform at the highest level every week. And his decision to defend Ivory Coast in the friendly match will still be appreciated by Southgate.

Furthermore, regarding Zaha, Southgate added that at the beginning of his leadership for the England national team, Raheem Sterling and Jesse Lingard had become key players. Likewise, Adam Lallana, who could become an important player in Southgate's 18 months in charge.

As for Zaha, Southgate said the player had a difficult situation. Because when he made his England debut, Zaha was a Palace player, but then joined Manchester United before making his second appearance.

While at United too, Southgate highlighted that Zaha only played four times for the Red Devils and then joined Cardiff before returning to Palace.

"When we were with the Under-21 team, he (Zaha) was in a difficult situation, both with Manchester United and then on loan at Cardiff but then he came back to Palace again," explained Southgate.