Nine years after clinching their last title in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast is set to kick off the AFCON 2023 tournament on home soil. The Elephants will take on Guinea-Bissau in Abidjan at 9:00 p.m. local time, marking the beginning of what promises to be an electrifying competition.
While Ivory Coast undeniably holds a strong contender status, Coach Jean-Louis Gasset prefers not to embrace the label of the outright favorite.
In a statement reported by Sud Ouest, the seasoned coach, who has been at the helm for 20 months, asserted, “I haven’t changed my mind. We know the favorites – the titleholder (Senegal) and the World Cup semi-finalist (Morocco). We’ve paved our way, and today I believe we are ready.”
Gasset emphasized the team’s preparation and readiness for the tournament, acknowledging the challenges ahead.
“We will have to experience the event. They tell me a stadium is on fire; I want to know it. My job is to transform this pressure into something positive. This must not inhibit us.”
The anticipation for Ivory Coast’s performance is heightened as they aim to navigate through a competitive field of teams, including the defending champions Senegal and the formidable Morocco.
Gasset’s pragmatic approach underscores the team’s focus on converting pressure into motivation and seizing the opportunity on their home turf.
Football enthusiasts can catch all the action of the AFCON on beIN SPORTS, with Ivory Coast’s opening clash against Guinea-Bissau marking the commencement of what promises to be an enthralling tournament.
