I was rejected from the English side: Zaha

CAIRO – 5 June 2018: Ivorian winger, Wilfried Zaha, decided in 2016 to represent Ivory Coast on the international level instead of representing England; the player believes that he felt he was rejected from the English team.

“It was just like I was rejected from the English side; I didn't get picked or even get a look in for four years. No one even thought about me at all,” Zaha told CNN on Tuesday.




Zaha was born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast in 1992 and four years later he left to England with his family. The winger was raised in London and joined one of the city’s giants, Crystal Palace, since he was 12.

The Ivorian winger established himself as one of the key players inside the club since he joined the first team in 2010.

Zaha grabbed the other clubs’ attention and he moved to Manchester United in 2013 before his decision to return to Palace after a year and a half.




Zaha represented England youth teams but at the end he decided to play for Ivory Coast senior team.

Zaha spoke about his decision to represent Ivory Coast, saying “even though I told them no, they still had the belief in me and still wanted me because they knew what I could do for the team.”



Zaha represented Ivory Coast at 2017 African Cup of Nations in Gabon where they were eliminated from the group stage.

The winger added "As for me not playing for England, I've got no regret at all. I'm happy with the decision I made."