Kolo Toure named in Ivory Coast squad

Liverpool defender Kolo Toure has been included in the Ivory Coast squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, which begins next month.

Toure had already confirmed that his retirement would hinge on whether he was named in the squad, and the 33-year-old, who has won 112 caps for the Elephants, will finish his international career at the tournament in Equatorial Guinea.

The defender's brother Yaya Toure and Swansea City striker Wilfried Bony are the star names in Herve Renard's 23-man group, while Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tiote is also included.

Ivory Coast's campaign begins against Group D rivals Guinea on January 20, and they will also meet Mali and Cameroon in the opening round.

Ivory Coast squad:

Goalkeepers: Boubacar Barry (Lokeren), Sylvain Gbohouo (Sewe Sport), Sayouba Mande (Staebek)

Defenders: Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro (Toulouse), Serge Aurier (Paris Saint-Germain) Eric Bertrand Bailly (Espanyol), Wilfried Kanon (ADO Den Haag), Sakia Tiene (Montpelier), Kolo Toure (Liverpool), Ousmane Viera (Rizespor)

Midfielders: Roger Assale (Sewe Sport), Serey Die (Basle), Ismael Diomande (St Etienne), Cheick Doukoure (Metz), Max Gradel (St Etienne), Cheick Tiote (Newcastle United), Yaya Toure (Manchester City)

Forwards: Wilfried Bony (Swansea City), Seydou Doumbia (CSKA Moscow), Gervinho (Roma), Salomon Kalou (Hertha Berlin), Junior Tallo (Bastia), Lacina Traore (Monaco)