CAN 2024: the indestructible new Côte d'Ivoire put to the test of Congolese determination
It is a poster between ghosts which takes place this Wednesday, February 7 in Abidjan, in the semi-final of the African Cup of Nations. Côte d'Ivoire, miraculous many times in this home tournament, sees a transfigured Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) stand in its path. The new Ivorian coach, Emerse Faé, is challenged by Leopards driven by an unwavering will.
The Ivorian Simon Adingra and the Congolese Theo Bongonda. © Sunday Alamba, Themba Hadebe / AP / RFI montage
By: Nicolas Bamba Follow
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From our special correspondent in Abidjan,
What emotions do the Elephants have in store for their supporters this time? A little over two weeks ago, in this same Alassane Ouattara Olympic stadium, the Ivorian selection was humiliated and pushed to the edge of the precipice by Equatorial Guinea in this
CAN 2024
. Since then, Emerse Faé replaced Jean-Louis Gasset as coach, Morocco allowed the host country to survive at the last minute in the first round, and Ivory Coast overthrew Senegal in the round of 16, then Mali in the quarterfinals. , at the end of two epic encounters.
So obviously, at the time of facing the DRC for a place in the final of the continental tournament, it is legitimate to wonder what incredible scenario awaits us for this half.
Read alsoCAN 2024: Nigeria-South Africa, Ivory Coast-DRC... what you need to know about the semi-finals
The Ivorian people, a key factor in Elephants now unsinkable?
Ivory Coast would finally like to avoid a complicated start to the match and no longer have to chase the score, like against the Lions of Teranga and against the Eagles. “
We will try to take advantage of the newfound confidence to, from the start of the match, put our game in place and impose the rhythm. The objective is to start better
,” explains coach Faé.
The young coach (40 years old) will have to do without Odilon Kossounou, Serge Aurier, Oumar Diakité and Christian Kouamé, suspended. Four absentees, while his team has just completed two 120-minute matches that were nerve-wracking and straining for the body, that risks harming the Elephants. But not enough to undermine the confidence and spirit of solidarity that Faé tried to rebuild after this terrible end to the first round:
“
We are 27 players, all together. And if we want to get the cup, we can only do it together, not just the 11 who start and the 5-6 who come into play. (…) Those absent will bring strength from the stand.
»
An undeniable new momentum accompanies the Ivory Coast team. The selection has come so far that today it appears launched like a locomotive towards this final which it dreams of so much at home. The metamorphosis is obvious when we think back to the images
after the Equatorial Guinea disaster of January 22
. The supporters are smiling again, and it is also on them that the experienced Max-Alain Gradel is counting:
“
We feel the enthusiasm (…). Against Senegal, we felt, even though we were being led, that the people were behind us. Same against Mali: even at 10, we really felt the people pushing us. When you see your people singing the national anthem when there are 10 of us and there are only a few minutes left, it's incredible. (…) We didn’t feel like we were 10, we felt like we were 15 against 11.
”
Read alsoCalendar, results and rankings of CAN 2024 matches
The DRC absolutely wants this final
The DRC knows where it is going. Once again, the Leopards will not be able to count on massive support for Ebimpé. Already in the quarter-finals, Guinean supporters were the most numerous in the stadium aisles. A detail which did not prevent the Congolese selection from methodically trapping the national Syli.
Sébastien Desabre, the man who brought a framework of discipline and team spirit to the den, is not concerned about taking on an entire country. “
It’s a source of motivation, we’re very happy to play in a stadium with a huge crowd
,” smiles the coach, who promises: “
We can play in any stadium. We will try to give our all, have a good match and defend the colors of Congo proudly.
» In addition, he should be able to count on Gaël Kakuta, recovered from his hamstring injury.
Always calm, the technician is enjoying his group's journey since his arrival in August 2022 (8 wins, 7 draws, 4 defeats, including 3 in friendlies). The objective, when he took charge of a DRC team then in distress, was to build a selection capable of performing during the CAN 2025 in Morocco. The new project is ahead with this first semi-final since the 2015 edition.
The sporting aspect is not the only one to be taken into account in this clash. The Leopards are taking advantage of this CAN to
denounce the new violence perpetrated by the M23 group
in the east of their country. The players will wear a thin black armband on their arm against Ivory Coast, as a sign of mourning and tribute to the victims. “
It will be a special match to send messages of attachment and thoughts to all those who are suffering in Congo
,” announces the coach.
The oldest remember that in 2015, the Ivory Coast-DRC semi-final went in favor of the former. But no spirit of revenge among the Leopards, but rather a pressing desire to shine at the highest, because “
this team deserves more stars on its jersey
”, believes Sébastien Desabre. He insists: “
What interests us is going to the final. We don't want to hear the message that it's already good and whatever happens, we will have had a good CAN. We are competitors, we want to get to the final and we will do everything for it.
" The message is clear.
► The semi-finalist coaches
Sébastien Desabre, the “mister plus” of the DRC
New Ivory Coast coach, Emerse Faé, on duty
Hugo Broos on a mission for South African football
Nigeria coach, José Peseiro, from the exit door to within reach of the title
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