The coach of Côte d’Ivoire, who faced pressure as the head of the team that reached the unfortunate finals of CAN 2012, shares his thoughts ahead of the upcoming match against Togo in CAN 2013. Here are key points from the coach’s statement:
Key Points:
- The coach acknowledges that he faces significant pressure in CAN 2013, being at the helm of the Côte d’Ivoire team that was the unfortunate finalist in CAN 2012, losing on penalties to Zambia.
- Despite not being unanimous, the coach expresses confidence and anticipation for the upcoming match against Togo.
- The team is said to be eagerly preparing for the match, feeling a sense of anticipation and the right amount of pressure.
- The coach emphasizes that, despite appearing calm, the team works diligently every day, understanding the expectations and the need to secure a victory.
- There is a recognition of the players’ anticipation to “turn the corner,” especially given that the team’s last victory in the African Cup of Nations dates back 20 years.
- The team’s preparation involved a short ten-day period, with only one warm-up match against Egypt. The coach mentions the challenges of squeezing in more matches due to uncertainties about players’ fitness.
- The coach reflects on the performance against Egypt, citing a less-than-ideal first half but improvements in the second half.
The coach’s statements provide insight into the mindset of the Côte d’Ivoire team, their awareness of the challenges, and their determination to perform well in the tournament, starting with the match against Togo.
