Ivory Coast fans love Mohamed Diomande after 'benchmark' match as Rangers star poses with Inverness goalie
03/25/2025 03:30 PM
Rangers midfielder Mohamed Diomande was probably sitting with his feet up earning a well-earned rest after initially being snubbed by the Ivory Coast during the international break.
The 23-year-old midfielder certainly wouldn't have seen himself earning a first start for the nation after Emerse Fae initially opted to keep the Rangers star out of the Elephants squad.
But with Diomande called up by the Ivory Coast at the 11th hour, the Ibrox talent has played his role in both of the nation's World Cup Qualifiers this March.
Having come off the bench late on in the 1-0 win away to Burundi, Dio was handed the chance to impress from the off in the 1-0 win over Gambia.
Earning his fourth and fifth caps for the country in the process, Mohamed Diomande has also been earning the plaudits of the Ivory Coast faithful.
Ivory Coast fans laud Mohamed Diomande
Mohamed Diomande's Rangers midfield partner Nicolas Raskin was earning plaudits in Belgium over the weekend.
Now it was the Ivorian's turn as Diomande put in an impressive performance in World Cup Qualifying, with Ivory Coast now odds on to reach the tournament in 2026 after five wins from their opening six matches.
The 1-0 win over Gambia came courtesy of an early goal from Sebastian Haller but it was Dio who appeared to turn heads amongst the Ivory Coast fans.
Taking to social media platform X in the aftermath of the result, it appears the nation's supporters have a new hero in the shape of the Rangers talent.
It comes after Diomande opted for Ivory Coast over Ghana, choosing the country of his birth over the country where he learned his trade as a footballer at the Right to Dream Academy.
This fan reckons Diomande is standing out amongst a pool of talented Ivorian midfielders:
Translated the post reads: "I’m so happy that Mohamed Diomande has proven his potential, at least we know we can count on him with Mario Dorgelès. The pool in midfield is good, but we haven’t tried a lot of young talent, that’s why we think the problem is in the middle."
Another fan claimed Diomande had a 'benchmark' match against Gambia:
Translated the post reads: "Mohamed Diomandé had a benchmark match at the heart of the Ivorian game against Gambia! A good omen for the future."
Another supporter praised Emerse Fae for giving an opportunity to the former FC Nordjsaelland midfielder.
Translated the post reads: "MOHAMED DIOMANDÉ, THE BEST MIDDLEFIELD TODAY, WAS NOT ON THE LIST OF 23 AT THE BEGINNING. WE SAW HIS IMPACT IN THE MATCH AND WHEN HE CAME OFF, WE SAW THE DIFFERENCE IN THE MIDDLE.THIS IS WHY WE SAY TO GIVE A CHANCE TO THE PLAYERS IN FORM AT THE MOMENT AND TO YOUNG PEOPLE."
Another fan hailed Diomande for the performance on his first start for the Ivory Coast, claiming the nation has now seen the 'extent' of the midfielder's talent.
Translated the post reads: "In his first start with the Elephants, Mohamed Diomande showed the extent of his talent."
Another fan wrote on X: "Mohamed Diomandé is strong, huh?"
Another simply said, "I like Mohamed Diomande" whilst one fan said "I really prefer Mohamed Diomandé when he gets going".
Rangers midfielder meets Inverness goalkeeper
Whilst Mohamed Diomande was impressing the Ivory Coast fans, the Rangers midfielder also posed for a photograph with Gambia goalkeeper Musa Dibaga.
Dibaga currently plays for Scottish League One outfit Inverness Caledonian Thistle but has risen to the Gambian bench via East of Scotland Football League side Whitehill Welfare.
It was a touching moment and rounded off what's been a largely successful, if not impromptu, international fortnight for Mohamed Diomande.
Who knows, maybe Diomande could could soon be facing a Rangers teammate at AFCON.
