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CAN 2024: in the Ivory Coast team, “mental” and “solidarity”, the key words to dream bigger
Incredible once again in the quarter-finals during their qualification against Mali (2-1. ap), Côte d'Ivoire once again counted on the mentality and solidarity between its players to reverse a compromised situation. A state which will be his best ally to get to the end.
The joy of the Ivorians after their victory against Mali and qualification for the semi-final. © Pierre René-Worms
By: Ndiasse Sambe Follow
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From our special correspondent in Bouaké,
“
We have faith, faith in God. It’s a collective victory. We were very supportive. We have incredible solidarity; “Believing in ourselves, even when it seems impossible, makes us win matches
. ”
The former Jean-Michael Seri, almost ten years in the selection, set the tone after the
crazy match against Mali
. Ivory Coast won the right to continue the adventure in its CAN thanks to its mentality as in the round of 16 against Senegal. “
We went for this victory with guts
,” said goalkeeper Yahia Fofana who stopped Adama Traoré Noss’s penalty when the score was 0-0.
An action like a turning point in the minds of the Elephants. “
When Mali had a penalty and missed it, we said to ourselves on the bench that we were going to do something
,” confirms Oumar Diakité, the scorer of the qualifying goal.
Serge Aurier: “
They are sick…”
The scorer for the equalizer is Simon Adingra. At 22, the young midfielder saved his team from elimination by scoring at the end of the second half (90th). “
Yes, we can talk about heroes for me
,” he confides, “
but we must especially talk about the team. At 10 against eleven, we didn't give up, we stuck together. It came down to the mind
.”
Read alsoMali-Côte d’Ivoire: relive the match commented by our journalists
It took a lot of mental strength to bounce back after a catastrophic first round and an audience that turned its back on you. “
We are coming out of some difficult events, I think we were the most tested team in the tournament
,” said Séko Fofana.
Today, as long as the referee hasn't blown the whistle, we believe it. And we call on the supporters to be behind us. Not only when you’re winning, but especially when it’s difficult
.”
Today, the Elephants found their supporters again on Saturday in Bouaké, as they did a few days ago in Yamoussoukro during the round of 16 against Senegal. A reformed alchemy that gives wings to players who doubt nothing and especially not themselves. “
They’re sick,”
smiles Serge Aurier
.
The captain of the Ivory Coast team, which won the 2015 CAN, admits
to experiencing “emotions never experienced before”
in his career. And it may not be over….
Read alsoCAN 2024: The calendar and all the results
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