Emerse Fae over the moon after guiding Ivory Coast to glory
Ivory Coast came from behind to beat Nigeria 2-1 and win the 2023 AFCON tournament in a thrilling match played at the Allasane Outtara Stadium in Embipe, Northern Abidjan, on Sunday evening.
Les Elephants interim coach Emerse Fae was overjoyed and yet to come to terms with the fact that he had just guided his nation to win the continental show-piece for the third time in history.
Speaking after the match, the former international lauded the entire Ivory Coast team for what he termed "fighting like men."
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"The entire tournament was just really tough, and we had to dig very deep in all matches; right from the group stage to the final, it wasn't easy for us," Fae stated.
"We, however, proved that we are men and can come back from adversity. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the entire team; they have made the entire nation proud and created history. They fought gallantly like me, and I am just so happy," he added.
Ivory Coast team celebrate after they won the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 final football match against Nigeria at Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan on February 11, 2024. (Photo: CAF)
Fae, who is only in charge of the Ivory Coast on an interim basis, was named the Coach of the Tournament, but when asked if he was looking forward to getting the job on a permanent basis, he brushed it off, instead choosing to enjoy the moment.
"Right now, I just want to celebrate and take it all in. We just won the AFCON and that is what I personally really wanted to achieve, so nothing else really matters; I just want to celebrate this achievement. We will think about the future way later," he said.
The coach's next mission now would be to prepare his team for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
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