Despite a rocky start to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Ivory Coast has managed to turn things around thanks to their team spirit, according to midfielder Jean Michaël Seri.
The two-time AFCON winners had a tough time in the group stage, winning only one of their games and losing two.
After finishing third in Group A, they were able to progress as one of the third best teams, but their poor form led to the sacking of coach Jean Luis Gasset. The Ivorian FA then entrusted Emerse Fae to lead the team from the Round 16.
Their perseverance paid off as Ivory Coast triumphed over DR Congo in the semifinals on Wednesday night, with Sabastian Haller scoring the only goal of the match.
Speaking after the game, Jean Michael Seri, who plays for Hull City in the English Championship, credited the team’s spirit for their turnaround at the tournament.
“It was sad when Jean Luis Gasset was sacked but we told we have to go forward in the tournament and the President chose Emerse Fae to lead the group and it changed many things,” said Seri, emphasizing the impact of the change in leadership.
He continued, “It’s not about me and it’s not about the impact I made in this group but it’s about the spirit of the team. We changed a lot of things in our team and you can see that we never gave up.”
Despite the challenges, Ivory Coast has persevered and is now set to face the Super Eagles in the final at the Alassane Ouatarra Stadium on Sunday.
