Nicolas Pepe and the Ivory Coast confirmed their qualification to next January’s Africa Cup of Nations with a win over Niger on Friday.

Nicolas Pepe celebrating with his Ivory Coast teammates (Photo via Pepe on Instagram)
Nicolas Pepe celebrating with his Ivory Coast teammates (Photo via Pepe on Instagram)

Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe completed the quartet of Gunners on track to participate at AFCON next January, as he helped Ivory Coast to a win over Niger.

The 3-0 victory put them top of the group on 10 points. Though that’s only three points clear of third-placed Madagascar with one game remaining, Ivory Coast have the head-to-head advantage if they finish level on points.

Pepe’s side won 2-1 against Madagascar in the home game and drew 1-1 away, so they’ll win the tiebreaker even if they lose their final game and Madagascar win theirs.

Ivory Coast will join Egypt (Mohamed Elneny), Ghana (Thomas Partey), and Gabon (Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang) at the upcoming AFCON tournament. It takes place mid-season, leaving Arsenal without the four players for over a month if their countries keep progressing.

It looks like Mikel Arteta will be relying on Bukayo Saka and Willian to hold down the fort on the wings that month.