On the eve of the Mali vs Ivory Coast match, counting for the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations, the coach of the Ivory Coast Elephants indicated this Friday, February 2, 2024 to the African sports press that his team will play with these qualities and strengths.
The CAN 2023 quarter-finals began on February 2, 2024 with the Angola vs Nigeria opposition which recorded the victory of the Super Eagles over the Palancas Negras by 1 goal to 0.
At this stage of the competition which includes 8 matches, one of the posters that attracts attention is the one which will pit the Eagles of Mali against the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire, Saturday February 3.
In history, Mali has not yet managed to gain the upper hand over Ivory Coast, but for the Eagles, this meeting is an opportunity to defeat the Indian sign. After coming out first in its group and having eliminated Burkina Faso in the round of 16, the Malian team has, according to Emerse Fae, a lively and playful midfielder. “Mali has a team with confidence. She’s had a great tournament so far. The strength is in the middle which has technical, lively players,” he said.
Côte d’Ivoire, for its part, has come a long way. Qualified in the round of 16 narrowly, she showed the door to the Senegalese team, defending champion. A victory which reconciled the Elephants with their supporters and gave the players confidence, according to coach Fae, for the rest of the tournament.
Facing Mali, the Elephants coach intends to approach the match with serenity. “We will play to our strengths and our qualities. The match involves two teams. I know how I’m going to play but I don’t know how my opponent is going to play,” added the mastermind of the Ivorian selection.
For this very important match, Emerse Fae can count on all the players ready to go to battle. “We have no injuries to report. Which is already a good thing for us,” he reassured.
Before the doors of the Bouaké Peace Stadium which will host this match open, tickets are already sold out. Some supporters who spent the night under the stars hoping to get the precious ticket that will give them access to the stands will have to watch the match on TV due to lack of tickets.
Issa Sawadogo, special envoy to Bouaké
