Defending champions Côte d'Ivoire have recalled 33-year-old former Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
At the same time, Tanzania's captain Mbwana Samatta was recalled to the national squad for the Africa Cup of Nations finals.
The recalls of the two players suggest the participant nations' strategic approach to turn to their senior stars for a sustained AFCON title bid.
Zaha, who now plays for Major League Soccer club Charlotte, was included in a 26-man squad that will face Mozambique, Cameroon and Gabon in Group F.
Zaha excluded last year
He was excluded from the Elephants squad last year when hosts Côte d'Ivoire squeezed into the knockout stage, then went on to beat Nigeria 2-1 in the final in Abidjan.
"We need experienced players. In the case of Zaha, his ability to beat defenders and his current form worked in his favour," coach Emerse Fae said while announcing the squad on Côte d'Ivoire TV.
Zaha, who made just four appearances in two years with Manchester United before returning to Palace on loan and later permanently, was capped twice by England before switching international allegiance.
Slovenia-based midfielder Jean-Michael Seri has also been recalled after a lengthy injury absence that prevented him playing for Côte d'Ivoire since October last year.
Nicolas Pepe left out
Manchester United winger Amad Diallo is one of four Premier League players included for the title defence. Aston Villa striker Evann Guessand is one of two standby players.
Sunderland winger Simon Adingra, part of the 2024 AFCON-winning squad, and Spain-based former Arsenal striker Nicolas Pepe failed to make the cut.
Côte d'Ivoire are seeking a fourth AFCON title having won the premier African football competition in 1992 and 2015, both after marathon penalty shootouts with Ghana, and 2024.
Samatta returns for Tanzania
Meanwhile, Tanzania is banking on Samatta's experience to lodge a successful AFCON campaign.
Samatta, who turns 33 later this month, won the last of his 75 caps for Tanzania a year ago but returns in a 28-man selection, which the Tanzania Football Federation announced on social media.
Samatta, who previously played at Aston Villa, is one of eight foreign-based players in the squad, which also includes English-born Haji Mnoga from League Two outfit Salford City and Tarryn Allarakhia, who plays at English minor-league side Rochdale.
All three were in Tanzania’s squad at the last finals in Côte d'Ivoire, where they drew two games and lost one and finished bottom of their group.
New coach Miguel Gamondi, appointed last month, has dropped experienced midfielder Mudathir Yahya but included the uncapped Kelvin Nashon.
