AFCON 2023: Ivory Coast coach, Emerse Fae says his side will be ready for DR Congo

Ivory Coast coach, Emerse Fae says his side will be ready for DR Congo in semifinal clash.



Emerse Fae, the interim coach of Ivory Coast, says his side will be very ready against DR Congo in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals.

Despite a rocky start in the group stage, Fae assumed leadership during the knockout phase, steering the Elephants through a remarkable turnaround that secured them a coveted spot in the tournament’s penultimate round.

Ivory Coast encountered turbulence in the group stage, suffering defeats to Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria, prompting the dismissal of former coach Jean Louis Gasset.

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However, under Fae’s stewardship, they emerged from the group as one of the top third-placed teams, setting the stage for a captivating resurgence in the knockout phase.

Fae described the team’s journey as a “resurrection” following their initial setbacks. He highlighted a pivotal moment after the loss to Equatorial Guinea, emphasizing”

“”I told the players we were down and out after that defeat, but we rose again after the Morocco game against Zambia.”

This lifeline propelled Ivory Coast to victory over defending champions Senegal and a hard-fought triumph over 10-man Mali in extra time, securing their berth in the semi-finals against DR Congo.

Fae recognizes the caliber of teams at this stage and emphasizes the need for thorough preparation.

“When you reach the semi-finals, you face top-quality teams, so we need to be well-prepared,” Fae emphasized, underscoring the importance of readiness to tackle the challenges posed by DR Congo.

Following their initial setbacks, Fae has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround for the Elephants.

With just two games separating them from tournament glory, Ivory Coast, under Fae’s guidance, has surpassed expectations and aims to prolong their impressive streak in the upcoming clash against DR Congo.