Emerse Faé, the interim coach of Cote d’Ivoire following the dismissal of Jean-Louis Gasset, faces a formidable challenge in his debut against Senegal this Monday.
Despite the miraculous qualification for the round of 16 in 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Faé emphasizes the need to elevate the team’s performance without implementing drastic tactical changes in a short span.
The hosts qualified as one of the best four third-placed teams despite the humiliating defeat in the last group encounter against Equatorial Guinea.
In a press conference, Faé highlighted his intention to instil confidence within the team after a 4-0 loss and to stick to the basics rather than attempting to reinvent the game.
His approach is rooted in reassuring the players before confronting the reigning African champions.
Acknowledging the pressure on both sides, Faé commented on the unexpected match-up, stating, “If we had asked Senegal to choose an opponent after their course, they would certainly not have chosen Côte d’Ivoire in the last eight. I will say that the pressure is on both our teams. But we will play our football.”
As the Elephants gears up to face a strong Senegal side, the question of whether they can pull a remarkable victory lingers.
Regardless, the stage is set for an intense encounter at the Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro, promising a compelling football spectacle.
