Highlights: Côte d'Ivoire won the CAN 2024 thanks to a mentality and a state of mind which was (re) built during the turn of coach Émerse Faé. The support of all the players allowed the Elephants to win their third star. “We were on the edge of the precipice, almost eliminated, and we qualified by a miracle. It all clicked from there,” explains the new African champion coach. Franck Kessié, substitute and decisive during the round of 16 against Senegal will materialize his coach's words.

After a catastrophic first round, Côte d'Ivoire won the CAN 2024 thanks to a mentality and a state of mind which was (re) built during the turn of coach Émerse Faé. The support of all…

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Ivory Coast, the victory of a “group” with a “rediscovered state of mind”

After a catastrophic first round, Côte d'Ivoire won the CAN 2024 thanks to a mentality and a state of mind which was (re) built during the turn of coach Émerse Faé. The support of all the players allowed the Elephants to win their third star.

The joy of the Ivorians, new champions of Africa, at the expense of Nigeria. PIERRE RENE-WORMS/FMM

By: Ndiasse Sambe Follow

From our special correspondent in Abidjan,

At the twilight of the third day of CAN

2024

, concluded with a humiliating defeat against

Equatorial Guinea (0-4)

, it is very smart who would have bet on a destiny as winner for Ivory Coast. And yet! These are the same men, the same players, and (almost) the same staff, who will realize the dream of an entire people. It began with

the ousting of Jean-Louis Gasset

and the promotion of his deputy

Émerse Faé

. The latter immediately strived to rebuild the shattered minds of the Elephants and to work on sacred union. “

We were on the edge of the precipice, almost eliminated, and we qualified by a miracle. It all clicked from there

,” explains the new African champion coach.

The former deputy wants to concern everyone to show another face of Côte d'Ivoire. “

I made

the players understand that there were 27 of them and that the whole group was important. That victory could come from the bench

,” he explains. Franck Kessié, substitute and decisive during the

round of 16 against Senegal

, will materialize his coach's words.

The contribution of the elders

A new state of mind is emerging and will carry Côte d'Ivoire to this

final victory against Nigeria

. “

We worked a lot, that’s our strength. We showed what we were capable of

, confirms Wilfried Singo.

When you enter the match, you have to prove. With the coach, we found a new mentality. A winning mentality

to win in front of an audience. It's incredible ! »

In his commando mission, Émerse Faé also counted on the contribution of elders like Gradel, Seri and Aurier to supervise a fairly young group. “

When we want to go to the end of a competition, we need the enthusiasm of youth, but also the experience of veterans

,” he confirms.

Read alsoCAN 2024: Ivory Coast overthrows Nigeria and wins its third star

African champion with Ivory Coast in 2015, full-back Serge Aurier confirms the marking made on his young teammates. “

My message to young people was to believe it because what was at the end was magnificent. I was shocked, but the end proved me right

. »

An ending that the hero, Sébastien Haller, decisive scorer, hardly dared to believe. “

It’s like a dream. We have often rehashed it. Today, it's reality

, says the attacker who could not hold back his tears after the meeting.

There was a lot of doubt. I almost went out on the action before the goal because my ankle hurt. This goal does good for me, for the man that I am, for the family, for the country

. »

Read alsoCAN 2024: explosion of joy in Abidjan after the 3rd coronation of the Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast, the victory of a “group” with a “rediscovered state of mind”

Ivory Coast, the victory of a “group” with a “rediscovered state of mind”

The contribution of the elders

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