Shell-shocked hosts Ivory Coast await AFCON fate
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Ivory Coast manager Emerse Fae has opened up on his motivation to win the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after failing to achieve such a feat as a player.
The Elephants, against all odds, are in the competition's semi-final after finishing third in the group stage.
The 2015 AFCON champions will face DR Congo's Leopards in the last four and could have another chance of playing in the final for the first time in nine years.
Fae's story at the competition thus far is one of his biggest motivations as he took over from Jean Louis Gasset days before their Round of 16 clash with the defending champion Senegal.
Shell-shocked hosts Ivory Coast await AFCON fate
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The former Reading midfielder led them to victory over the Teranga Lions on penalty. At the same time, a late goal from Oumar Diakite gave his team a vital win over Mali's Eagles in the quarter-final.
In an interview with Sports Brief ahead of their semi-final clash with the Leopards, he claimed he was unlucky not to win AFCON as a player and is motivated to win it as a coach.
"Of course, this is clear. I was unlucky to win the AFCON as a player, and it's a personal obligation and a duty to win this AFCON as a coach," he said.
"I will do my best to bring the AFCON winners medal to my country. From my side I will do everything possible to achieve this goal together."
Morocco win takes Ivory Coast into AFCON last 16 after hosts sack coach
FootballSports Brief earlier did the match preview of the semi-final tie between Ivory Coast and DR Congo coming up at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Wednesday, February 7.
The Elephants and the Leopards both had a poor outing in the group stage but are having a good time in the knockout stages.