Jakarta –
English will face Ivory Coast in the midweek test match. The match could create history with Wilfried Zaha as the main actor.
Zaha, now 29, was born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast but moved to London with his family when he was four. He entered Crystal Palace’s academy at the age of 12, and broke into the first team in April 2010, when he was 17.
His talent that continues to be honed makes him ogled by the England junior level. He played twice for England U-19s and 13 times for England U-21s. He was able to defend England because he grew up and went to school there.
At the end of 2012, he also received a call from the senior national team, which was then coached by Roy Hodgson. In total, he received two caps with the Three Lions, against Sweden and Scotland, all in friendlies.
The good performance at that time not only brought Zaha to the England national team, but also moved to Manchester United in the summer of 2013. Unfortunately, Zaha had difficulty developing at Old Trafford.
He only lasted half a season and was loaned to Cardiff City. In these times, he is still struggling to find his best performance. This led to him being ignored by Gareth Southgate, who at that time coached England U-21.
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Zaha while still defending England. Photo: Getty Images/Charlie Crowhurst– |
Zaha then returned to Crystal Palace in 2014 and remains to this day. At the club, he found his best form again, but England had ignored him.
When Southgate was promoted to first-team coaching in 2016, he favored the likes of Raheem Sterling, Jesse Lingard, Adam Lallana, Theo Walcott, Marcus Rashford, Andros Townsend and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the wing.
Zaha, whose age continues to grow, can no longer defend England U-21, but is not used at senior level. In 2016, he decided to change alliances, defending his homeland. He was allowed to do that because he only defended England senior in friendly matches.
November of that year, it was confirmed that Zaha applied for a transfer to FIFA, and it was granted. Southgate tried to persuade him, but it was too late. January 2017, Zaha featured in the Africa Cup of Nations. He was called up again for the 2019 and 2021 editions.
Now, Zaha with Ivory Coast will meet England at Wembley. The Guardian noted that no player has ever defended England and then competed against England. If he goes down, then he will be the first.
Ahead of the meeting, Southgate also commented on Zaha. The 51-year-old coach can only speak well of the player.
“I remember when I went to the hotel and met Wilf. But at that time the decision was made (for Ivory Coast). I can understand it because he hasn’t played for (England) in a long time,” said Southgate.
“In his era, Roy (Hodgson, England coach before Southgate) had had players who took precedence over Wilf for a long time. When I came in as caretaker (later to become main coach), we were satisfied with experienced players and didn’t want to bring in players. just too much.”
“It’s hard to say what a possible role for Wilf here. Raheem has been a key player for a long time. Lingard used to do well too, and at the start we had Lallana who was our best player for the last 18 months or so.”
 Zaha while defending Ivory Coast in January. Photo: AFP/CHARLY TRIBALLEAU– |
“Can Wilf be in the current squad? I don’t know, he’s a good player who plays at a high level every week. His character is different from the wingers we have. Nobody can predict whether he will be successful here (with England),” Southgate explained.
Zaha, who remains in England, appears to be happy with his international career with Ivory Coast, although he is yet to win a trophy. England was fine without him, reaching the 2018 World Cup semifinals and being runners-up at Euro 2020.
Everyone had gone their separate ways, and now there was no point in discussing what might have happened if the two of them had been together. England vs Ivory Coast will be held on Wednesday (30/3) at 01.45 WIB.
(adp/mrp)
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