Following his appointment as the head coach of the Ivory Coast national team, Faé Emerse shed light on the potential return of star player Wilfried Zaha during an appearance on the Ivorian channel 3’s program “La Grande Team.” While affirming that the door is not closed for Zaha’s return, Emerse outlined certain conditions that the Galatasaray forward must meet to rejoin the national squad.
Emerse’s elevation from assistant coach to the leading position in the national team comes on the back of a successful campaign at the AFCON 2023, where the Ivory Coast emerged victorious, securing the coveted trophy.
Now at the helm, Emerse emphasized the importance of a collective mindset and performance in the club as prerequisites for national team inclusion.
In response to inquiries about Wilfried Zaha’s potential return, Emerse stated, “The selection is open to everyone, from the moment you perform well in the club; the selection is open.
Afterwards, we won AFCON thanks to our state of mind. For us, the staff, the most important thing is the state of mind. The collective will always come first.”
While indicating that Zaha is not barred from returning, Emerse outlined the paramount significance of players aligning with the collective ethos.
He explained, “As much as the selection is open to everyone, players who are not in the mold of the collective will eliminate themselves. So Wilfried Zaha can come back.
We will have discussions with certain players, even those who were present at AFCON, and afterwards, we will make the best choices for the collective.”
The nuanced conditions set by Faé Emerse reflect a commitment to maintaining a cohesive and harmonious team environment, emphasizing the collective spirit that propelled the Ivory Coast to AFCON 2023 success.
As discussions unfold with players, including Zaha, the national team’s future decisions will prioritize the holistic well-being of the collective unit.
