Ivory Coast Coach Emerse Fae Targets Defending AFCON Title in Morocco
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Loading... - Maxwell Ababio
- 24 Dec 2024
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Emerse Fae, the 40-year-old coach of Côte d'Ivoire, has set ambitious goals for his team as they prepare to defend their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in Morocco and aim for qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Recently named Africa's Best Coach at the CAF Awards in Marrakech, Fae has quickly risen to prominence after leading the Elephants to their third African title on home soil, following the departure of former coach Jean-Louis Gasset.
Fae acknowledges that his new accolade comes with heightened expectations. "Yes, it does add a bit more pressure because, as someone just starting their career, many people have high expectations. But I enjoy the challenge it brings," he stated in an interview with Flashscore. He emphasized his desire to prove that his previous success was not a fluke but rather the beginning of a promising coaching career.
Defending the AFCON title is a priority for Fae, who recognizes the competitive nature of the tournament. "It’s going to be a very tough competition because many teams have talented players and a real chance of winning. But I enjoy challenges, and I’m ready for it," he said. Fae expressed eagerness to return to Morocco and compete, reflecting on his unexpected success in the last tournament, where he achieved victory in just four games.
Before the AFCON, Côte d'Ivoire aims to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, having missed the last two editions in Russia (2018) and Qatar (2022). Their last appearance was in Brazil 2014, where they were eliminated in the group stage. To qualify for the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the Elephants must navigate a challenging group that includes Gabon, Burundi, Gambia, Seychelles, and Kenya.
Fae understands the significance of World Cup qualification for Côte d'Ivoire, stating, "It would be hard to accept the Ivory Coast not making it to the World Cup. This challenge is very important to me and has been on my mind since our last game against Chad in the AFCON qualifiers." He is determined to lead his team to victory in their upcoming matches against Burundi and Gambia to maintain their top position in the group.
Managing a squad filled with star players is not a concern for Fae, who believes in treating all players equally, regardless of their experience. "I just want to be equal with all the players, with the youngest, with the oldest. I just try to do my job the same way for all the players," he explained. This approach fosters a sense of unity and motivation among the players to perform at their best.
Currently, Côte d'Ivoire leads their World Cup qualifying group with 10 points from four matches. Their next fixture is against Burundi in March 2025 at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam. With Fae at the helm, the Elephants are poised to make a strong push for both AFCON and World Cup success.
