AFCON 2023: Cote d'Ivoire's fae eyes quarterfinals after Senegal upset
Ivory Coast Interim Coach Emerse Fae has urged his team to stay grounded and focus on the quaterfinals after upsetting favourites Senegal in the last 16 match played yesternight
Cote d'Ivoire's interim coach, Emerse Fae, remains resolute that their recent triumph over Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations last 16 should not mark the peak of their ambitions.
The Ivorian side secured a thrilling penalty shootout victory over the reigning champions, prevailing 5-4 after a tense 1-1 draw in regulation time. The monumental win, sealed in front of an electrified home crowd at the Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro, showcased the team's resilience in the face of adversity.
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"Despite this significant victory, we must not stop here," emphasized Fae in a post-match interview. "There's still a long journey ahead of us, and we need to maintain our focus and determination as we progress in the tournament."
Senegal wasted no time asserting dominance, taking the lead just four minutes into the game through a sublime strike by Habib Diallo, courtesy of a precise cross from Sadio Mane. However, Cote d'Ivoire refused to be daunted by the early setback, maintaining their composure and mounting relentless pressure on their opponents.
"We had a difficult start, conceding an early goal, but I told the players at halftime to keep playing the same way, not get confused," revealed Fae, reflecting on the team's mindset during the match.
Their perseverance paid off in the 86th minute when a crucial penalty was awarded to the host nation, duly converted by Franck Kessie after a VAR review.
"The pressure was immense before the match," admitted Fae. "I couldn't nap as usual, thinking about all scenarios. If I said there was no pressure, I would be lying."
The subsequent penalty shootout saw Kessie once again stepping up to deliver the decisive blow, sending the home crowd into a frenzy of celebration.
"This victory is a testament to the team's resilience and character," declared Fae. "But we cannot afford to become complacent. There are tougher challenges ahead, and we must approach each match with the same determination and hunger for success."
Under Fae's leadership, Cote d'Ivoire exhibited a newfound sense of cohesion and determination, with the coach taking full responsibility for tactical decisions—a departure from the approach under previous coach Jean-Louis Gasset.
"The players executed the game plan excellently," praised Fae. "It was my decision on what needed to be done. With Gasset, I would give an opinion, and he would make the decision."
Emerse Faé, who has been in charge of the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire 🇨🇮 as interim coach for just five days, has eliminated Senegal 🇸🇳 coached by Aliou Cisse who has had the job since 2015.
— Usher Komugisha (@UsherKomugisha) January 29, 2024
The AFCON 2023 script continues… pic.twitter.com/yYbcGSYbL2
The win over Senegal has injected a renewed sense of confidence into the Ivorian camp, but Fae remains resolute in his message that they cannot afford to rest on their laurels. With tougher challenges looming on the horizon, including the quarter-finals, Fae emphasizes the importance of maintaining focus and continuing to build upon their recent success.
"For us, this victory is just the beginning," asserted Fae. "We must not stop here; we must continue working, maintain this morale, and keep playing match by match."
For Fae and his charges, the victory over Senegal represents not the culmination but rather the beginning of their quest for AFCON glory. With their sights set firmly on the ultimate prize, the Elephants are determined to write the next chapter in their storied footballing journey.
