The quarterfinal between Egypt and Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco will revive a tactical battle on the touchline between Egypt coach Hossam Hassan and Ivory Coast boss Emerse Fae, two decades after their last direct clash.
Faé, now 41, famously took over the Ivorians mid‑tournament on home soil in February 2024, after the dismissal of French coach Jean-Louis Gasset for poor results, and dramatically led the team to the title with a 2-1 win over Nigeria in the final.
Hossam Hassan assumed control of Egypt around the same period, following the Pharaohs’ exit in the last 16 of the previous edition at the hands of DR Congo, which cost Portuguese coach Rui Vitória his job. The upcoming match will be their first sideline meeting since 28 January 2006, when Egypt and Ivory Coast faced off in the final group game of the Nations Cup that Egypt eventually won.
Back then, Egypt beat Ivory Coast 3-1: Emad Meteb scored early, Aruna Koné equalised, before Mohamed Aboutrika restored Egypt’s lead and Meteb added a third.
Hassan came on as an early substitute for the injured Ahmed Hossam Mido, while Faé completed the full match, and later also played the final, which Egypt won on penalties after a goalless draw, with Hassan remaining on the bench.
