Ivory Coast coach Robert Nouzaret has signalled his intent for the Elephant's opening game against South Africa in the African Nations Cup qualifiers, selecting a squad of predominantly overseas-based players.

The 21-man selection includes just three players based in the Ivorian league.

Led by Ibrahima Bakayoko, the Marseille striker, the squad sees a return to the side for Cyrille Domoraud, who was surprise exclusion at the last Nations Cup finals in Mali earlier this year.

The defender, formerly of AC Milan and Internazionale as well as Marseille, and is now on loan at Barcelona club Espanyol.

Also in the team is Bonaventure Kalou, who this week helped his Dutch club Feyenoord qualify for the league phase of the Uefa Champions League competition.

Nouzaret has also shown faith in Lassina Diabate, despite the fact that the former Bordeaux and Auxerre defender has not been able to secure a new club.

There are four uncapped players in the team, including French-born defender Abdoulaye Meite.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Boubacar Barry (Rennes, France), Losseni Konate (ASEC Abidjan), Jean-Jacques Tizie (Esperance, Tunisia)
Defenders: Mamadou Coulibaly (Lokeren, Belgium), Cyrille Domoraud (Espanyol, Spain), Blaise Kouassi (Guingamp, France), Abdoulaye Meite (Marseille, France), Siaka Tiene Siaka (ASEC Abidjan), Habib Kolo Toure (Arsenal, England), Didier Zokora (Genk, Arsenal)
Midfielders: Aliou Siby Badra (Club Africain, Tunisia), Lassina Diabate (unattached), Serge Die (Avelino, Italy), Abdoulaye Djire (ASEC Abidjan), N'Zi Esceth (Lorient, France), Marc Guei (Montpellier, France)
Strikers: Kangah Akale (FC Zurich, Switzerland), Ibrahima Bakayoko (Marseille, France), Didier Drogba (Guingamp, France), Bonaventure Kalou (Feyenoord, Netherlands), Kandia Traore (Esperance, Tunisia)