Ivory Coast interim coach Emerse Fae is preparing his team for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Fae is urging his players to maintain the same resilient mindset that has led to their remarkable return to the tournament so far.
The Elephants booked their place in the semi-finals after a thrilling quarter-final victory against Mali, overcoming a 1-0 deficit with 10 men to eventually win 2-1 in extra time.
Fae emphasized the importance of their mental strength, pointing to their extraordinary recovery against Senegal in the round of 16 and their exit from the group stage as the last of the top teams in third place.
Addressing reporters in Abidjan on Tuesday, Fae acknowledged their impressive journey, saying: “We will draw strength from this and remind ourselves that our mindset is strong.”
Despite recent success, Fae is careful not to underestimate the challenges ahead and refuses to rely solely on fate. He attributes their miraculous victory to the players’ unwavering fighting spirit and belief until the final whistle.
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Fae took charge following the sacking of Jean-Louis Gasset and recognizes the significance of Ivory Coast’s transformation from a heavy defeat in the group stage to just one game away from the AFCON final.
The upcoming match at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium marks Ivory Coast’s first appearance since the humiliating loss on 22 January.
Acknowledging the stakes, Fae expresses his belief that the team has come too far to crumble under the pressure. It highlights the team’s resilience in overcoming adversity and firmly expresses their determination to reach the finals.
However, Ivory Coast face challenges with key players including Oumara Diakite, Serge Aurier, Christian Kouame and Odilon Kossounou suspended for the semi-final. Fae acknowledges the loss of Diakite, but remains confident that the remaining team will fight hard and give their all to secure a spot in the finals.
