AFCON 2023: Ivory Coast Coach Emerse Fae Speaks on His Team Qualifying to the Semi Finals by Miracle

• Emerse Fae has shared his thoughts on his team's AFCON run being labelled a miracle
• The host nation knocked out Senegal and Mali despite their poor start in the group stage
• The 2015 AFCON winners are one of the four teams in the semi-finals of the tournament

Ivory Coast's campaign at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has been labelled a 'miracle' due to their struggle in most parts of the competition.

The former African champions had a bad run during the group stage games but eventually qualified for the Round of 16 as one of the best losers.

They were paired with the defending champions, Senegal, in the second round, but they surprised the football by knocking the Teranga Lions out on penalties.

The Elephants' miraculous run continued in the quarter-finals as they defeated the Eagles of Mali 2-1 despite playing most part of the game with ten men.

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The host nation will face DR Congo in the semi-finals, and ahead of the tie, Sports Brief gathered the Elephants coach Emerse Fae's thoughts about his team making this stage by 'miracle'.

"It will be a mistake to think our progression to the semi-finals has been by miracles," he said.

"Rather, the results [against Senegal and Mali] help us mentally to achieve the perceived miracles we see on the pitch.

"But there has to be more effort. The so-called miracle against Mali did not come by chance. Miracles happen when you do your best on the field."

Ivory Coast's semi-final game against DR Congo's Leopards will take place at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Wednesday, February 7.

Fae speaks on motivation to win AFCON

Sports Brief previously reported on Fae speaking on his motivation to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after missing out as a player.

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The former Reading midfielder took over from Jean Louis Gasset days before their Round of 16 clash with the defending champion Senegal.

Fae was part of the Ivory Coast squad that lost the AFCON final against the Pharaohs of Egypt in 2006.