Ivory Coast coach Emerse Faé has urged his players to give everything in pursuit of victory when they face Gabon in the eighth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The Elephants currently sit at the top of Group F but face stiff competition from a Gabon side in strong form and driven by the prospect of a historic qualification. With the stakes high, Faé made clear that his side are fully committed to returning home with three vital points.
Speaking on the eve of the encounter, Faé acknowledged the difficulty of the challenge while emphasising his team’s determination
. “It’s going to be an important match for both teams. Gabon are having a great run and will do everything they can to achieve a historic qualification for their nation.
We expect a tough game against a good side with talented individuals who will also have the support of their fans,” he said.
While not considering the match entirely decisive, Faé underlined the need for consistency. “Even if we were to win tomorrow, we wouldn’t yet be qualified, but this match is extremely important.
Like all Ivorians, we want to get back to the World Cup, which we haven’t reached since 2014. We’ll give everything to return to Abidjan with the three points,” he added.
Players Echo Manager’s Determination
Manchester United winger Amad Diallo, who joined Faé at the pre-match press conference, echoed his manager’s message of urgency. “We’re really looking forward to this match.
As I said before, we’re here for the three points. It’s going to be very important for us on the road to the World Cup, but it will mean even more if we manage to bring home a win,” said Diallo.
The young forward stressed that victory would be a statement of intent from Ivory Coast as they continue their push for qualification.
Federation’s Call for Focus
Idriss Diallo, president of the Ivorian Football Federation, also addressed the media, reinforcing the significance of the fixture. While acknowledging that the match is not mathematically decisive, he underlined the need for the Elephants to maintain a winning mentality.
“The match against Gabon is crucial but not decisive. If we lose, we are not eliminated, but we are here to win,” he insisted, underlining that the federation expects the players to seize the opportunity to strengthen their leadership in the group.
Adingra Highlights Team Strengths
Simon Adingra, who was instrumental in Ivory Coast’s narrow 1-0 win over Burundi with a decisive assist, also shared his thoughts. The Sunderland forward stressed that confidence within the camp remains high but warned against complacency.
“The match against Burundi was very important for us because Gabon had taken the lead in the group. We had to win, and we managed to do it, which allows us to approach this match with more calm. We’re now fully focused on Gabon,” Adingra explained in an interview with FIFA.
He pointed to the depth and quality within the Ivorian squad as a key advantage. “We know it won’t be easy since we’re playing away, but we’re relying on our strengths. We have players competing in major leagues, players used to big matches and pressure. That will help us. The first leg came down to details, so we’ll need to stay concentrated. They’ll have their fans behind them, but it’s up to us to get the victory.”
Anticipation Reaches Its Peak
With the match only hours away, excitement is building both in Gabon and Ivory Coast. For the Elephants, it is an opportunity not only to reinforce their position at the top of Group F but also to take another step toward returning to the global stage after more than a decade’s absence.
For Gabon, the clash presents a chance to maintain momentum and edge closer to making history with a first World Cup appearance.
As both teams prepare for battle, one certainty remains: the clash in Libreville is set to be one of the defining encounters of the African qualifying campaign.
