Afcon 2023: Ivory Coast can ‘go for title’, caretaker boss says
Ivory Coast caretaker boss Emerse Fae says his side will not dwell on their win over Senegal and can lift the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations trophy.
The Elephants were underdogs against the defending champions after two defeats in the group phase.
But the hosts, who only advanced to the last 16 because of other results, stunned the Teranga Lions on penalties.
“We’re definitely not going to get excited,” said Fae. “We are going to savour the win and get back to work.”
The 40-year-old added: “We have come so far. We are going to continue to work on our solidity.
“We need to keep this state of mind which will give us the strength to perhaps go for the title.”
Jean-Louis Gasset started the tournament as Ivory Coast coach but was sacked following a 4-0 thrashing by Equatorial Guinea which was their heaviest ever home defeat and left their hopes of knockout football hanging by a thread.
Morocco’s win over Zambia ultimately sent them through as one of the four best third-placed teams from the six groups, and Ivory Coast then failed in a bid to re-appoint Herve Renard for the remainder of the campaign.
Fae will now lead the Ivorians when they face Mali in the last eight on Saturday after the Eagles beat Burkina Faso on Tuesday.
