Yaya Toure misses Ivory Coast practice three days before opener

Published Jan. 17, 2015 10:18 a.m. ET

foxsports

Yaya Toure sat out practice Saturday, three days before the Ivory Coast plays its opening match at the African Cup of Nations.

The four-time African player of the year stretched on the side as his teammates practiced at a small stadium in Malabo.

The Ivory Coast opens play in Group D on Tuesday against Guinea at Estadio de Malabo. Mali will face Cameroon later that night.

Toure, who plays for Manchester City, is a key player for both his country and his Premier League club. He won his record-equaling fourth African player of the year award this year, putting him level with Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o.