Emerse Fae: Ivory Coast Coach Admits Difficulty Playing As African Champions After Benin Draw

• Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae has reacted to the draw against Benin
• The African champions drew 2-2 draw in their first game after AFCON
• The Elephants will next face Uruguay in a friendly on Tuesday in France

Ivory Coast coach, Emerse Fae, has disclosed the challenges of facing teams as African champions following his side's draw against Benin in a friendly in France.

Fae led the Elephants to Africa Cup of Nations success after taking over as interim coach from the Round of 16 of the competition hosted on home soil.

He was made substantive coach after the tournament and played his first game since winning AFCON on Saturday, March 23, 2024.

Goals from the retiring Max-Alain Gradel and Oumar Diakite cancelled out Junior Olaitan's double as the newly-crowned African champions laboured to a 2-2 draw in Lens.

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According to Fae, being African champions means teams will come at them with their best arsenal.

“The resumption and post-CAN matches are difficult, especially when you have won the CAN. We knew it was going to be a difficult match," he told Instant Foot, as quoted by 13 Football.

The former Ivory Coast player also paid tribute to Max Gradel, who retired after the game against Benin.

"In addition, there was Max's little event which was also important for us,” he added.

“We are happy not to have lost because it would have spoiled the party, especially for Max Alain Gradel’s last match."

Ivory Coast will next face Uruguay as they prepare ahead of the return of the World Cup qualifiers in June, as reported by Reuters.

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Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Fae officially ascended to the position of head coach of Ivory Coast's national team, a promotion well-deserved following his role in leading the Elephants to victory at the 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations.

Formerly serving as an assistant coach under Jean-Louis Gasset since 2022, Fae's elevation occurred midway through this year's continental championship, marking a turning point in the host nation's tournament fortunes.

Upon assuming the helm after the team's disheartening loss to Equatorial Guinea, the 40-year-old midfielder-turned-coach wasted no time in revitalising a struggling squad, propelling them to their third AFCON triumph.