With the recent sacking of head coach Jean-Louis Gasset, many were left wondering if the Ivory Coast could recover and continue their performance at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Despite a slow start in the group stages, the Elephants managed to secure a surprise penalty shootout win in the last 16, showcasing sudden belief and cohesion about their game.
Under emergency caretaker manager, Emerse Faé, the team showcased a strong performance against Senegal, despite conceding an early goal.
Some well-timed, impactful substitutions, including players like Franck Kessié, Seb Haller, Christian Kouamé, Simon Adingra and Nicolas Pépé, changed the game in favor of the Ivory Coast. With an xG of 1.3 compared to Senegal’s 0.9, it was clear that the Ivorians had taken control of the game.
The combination of strong midfield pairing, along with promising attacking talent, puts the Ivory Coast in a good position as they head into the quarter-finals.
With favorites like Senegal, Morocco, Cameroon, and Egypt out of the competition, the path now looks incredibly open for Ivory Coast to make a strong run in the tournament.
While the road to the final is still challenging, the team’s recent wins and home support signal a positive outlook for the Elephants. With the level of self-belief and motivation within the team, there is a strong possibility for Ivory Coast to reach the final in Ouattara on 11 February.
