Emerse Fae admits initial doubts over Elye Wahi before approving Ivory Coast switch

Ivory Coast head coach Ivory Coast boss Emerse Fae has admitted he initially had reservations about Elye Wahi’s international future before being won over by a personal conversation with the forward.

“I was among those, at one point, who had closed the door on Elye,” Fae told journalists. “But I sensed sincerity when he spoke to the staff, and a strong desire to play for the Ivory Coast, to contribute to the team.”

The remarks offer a rare glimpse into the discussions that preceded Wahi’s decision to commit his international future to the reigning African champions, having previously represented France at youth level.

Wahi, once regarded as one of France’s brightest attacking prospects, made his name at Montpellier, where he scored 19 Ligue 1 goals in the 2022–23 season.

His development has since stalled, with a difficult spell at Eintracht Frankfurt followed by a loan move to OGC Nice in January in an attempt to rediscover form.

Now 23, the forward’s switch is seen as both a strategic boost for Ivory Coast and a fresh start for a player still searching for consistency at club level.

Fae stressed that the decisive factor was not statistics or scouting data, but the player’s personal conviction and willingness to fully commit to the national project.

The move strengthens an already competitive attacking pool as Ivory Coast continue preparations for upcoming international campaigns with renewed depth in forward positions.

While concerns remain over Wahi’s recent form, the national team believes his arrival adds both competition and long-term potential to the squad.

The 2024 AFCON champions were in strong form during the recent international window, beating South Korea 4–0 before edging Scotland 1–0, underlining their growing momentum ahead of future fixtures.