Emerse Fae, the coach of Ivory Coast, could not contain his happiness at leading his team to victory in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
The Elephant made a stunning comeback to secure a 2-1 win over Nigeria at a packed Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe on Sunday evening.
Although William Troost-Ekong scored the opening goal for the Super Eagles in the first half, second-half goals from Franck Kessie and Sebastien Haller turned the game in favor of the host nation.
Speaking to the media after the match, Fae, who took over from Jean-Louis Gasset, admitted that it was hard to believe that they went from almost being eliminated to winning the title.
“It’s still sinking in. We experienced every emotion imaginable. This tournament will stay with me forever. I assumed leadership on my birthday, and we were on the verge of elimination. Yet, through the relentless effort of these players, fortunes turned, and today, they’ve been rewarded especially our loyal fans,” said the coach.
Fae also received the Best Coach of the Tournament award for showcasing tactical brilliance in steering the Elephants to a triumphant finish.
Furthermore, Ivory Coast has been awarded $7m as prize money for winning the tournament.
