AFCON 2023: Elephants interim coach passes first test, admits “tougher tests lie ahead”

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson

Unlike the seven other nations ready for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 quarterfinals, hosts Cote D’Ivoire are still celebrating their 5-4 post game penalty home triumph over defending champions Senegal at the Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro. It’s the first win for the hosts under their interim coach Emerse Fae, a former “Elephants” international following the termination of contracts for his former Boss Jean-Louis André Lucien Gasset and his first assistant coach Ghislain Marie Joseph Printant, due to insufficient results. It was indeed a historic comeback for the host who were earlier shocked by the defending champions in the fourth-minute when their youngster Habib Diallo hastily chested a pass from Sadio Mane, and slotted it home to put his country ahead. The defending champion’s early lead got the Ivoirians energized as they dominated ball possession and new manager Fae’s triple substitution ten minutes on to the end of the match paid off in the 86th when Franck Kessie equalized from the penalty spot after Nicolas Pepe was fouled in the Senegalese danger area. Kessie’s goal proved to be a major boost for the hosts who will go on to force the defending champions to enter into the post game lottery where they eventually eliminated Senegal 5-4 to advance to the quarterfinals. To the Ivoirians caretaker coach, Emerse Fae, the victory means a lot. He confessed that he was under pressure, saying there was a lot of pressure before the match. “I couldn't sleep as usual, thinking about all scenarios and on match day, the match was too long for me. If I said there was no pressure, I would be lying," Fae explained. He said the result is a booster in our search for AFCON splendour but that his team needs to keep going. “Although we’ve beaten the defending champions to advance to the quarterfinals stage, we must continue working with the same winning mentality at every match because tougher task lies ahead.” Fae’s next task as interim coach of the Elephants is underway on Saturday, February 3, when his side will face Mali in the quarterfinals in Bouake.