- Ivory Coast eliminated defending champions Senegal
- They face Mali in the quarter finals
- Ivory Coast will rely on their home fans
Ivory Coast’s interim coach Emerse Fae says the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosts have their confidence back after their well worked victory over holders Senegal in the round of 16.
The hosts eliminated the defending champions despite having come into the round of 16 with a horrendous run, just but sneaking in to the knockout phase as one of the best placed number three teams.
They had tainted confidence from a 4-0 spanking by Equatorial Guinea, but Fae says the win over Senegal has revitalized their spirits.
“After the qualification against Senegal, we were able to take up our colors which was very complicated for us from the very beginning but to be able to win especially when we went to penalties, it was actually touching,” the tactician said, speaking before the game.
They will take on another tricky side, Mali, in the quarter final and will rely on their home fans as well as the confidence from a second lease of life to make it into the semi finals.
Ivory Coast cautious of Malian side
Ivory Coast celebrate their win. PHOTO/CAF
Fae admits it will not be an easy outing against the Malians, a team full of young and energetic players.
“The Malian team is a good. They have good midfielders and we know it will be very tough and from our side, we are tough also. We have our strength and what is important is we concentrate on our team,” the coach said.
He says he has faith in his players that they can do the job, especially now that pressure is slightly off their shoulders following the Senegal win.
“I am not a magician and I have never been one in any way. I’m also a young coach who knows this group very well. I have been with them for about a year and a half. After the drama we had against Equatorial Guinea, I had lot of confidence in the squad and I was able to give them adequate and appropriate words,” the coach noted.
Since 2013 when they finished in third place, Mali has failed to make it out of the round of 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations. This year, they have managed to go one better and make the quarters and now, the side wants to even do better and qualify for the last four.
Mali full of confidence
Mali players celebrate their victory over South Africa. PHOTO/CAF
Head coach Eric Chelle says the team is full of confidence, and despite the massive weight of playing against the hosts in the quarter finals, they are ready to take on the duty in their hands.
Chelle knows the task ahead of them.
“There is one thing that is important for me, Cotê d’Ivoire is part of the favorite like I said from the beginning, they are the host country they are the organizers and are more like the favorite. This is a high level and we are going to give a good account of ourselves,” the tactician said.
He added; “This game is going to be an emotional game. It is going to be a match between two brothers and I have my take on the Cotê d’Ivoire team as well. We are working very hard and we all know what needs to be done, I need to give my players the right mentality. We need to move together and make sure we work in humility.”
The tactician has said they have tidied up defensively, especially putting in mind just how strong the Ivorians are offensively.
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