Ivory Coast coach Fae urges vigilance ahead of AFCON clash against Egypt

YAMOUSSOUKRO: Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae has urged his team to remain alert ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-final clash against Egypt on Saturday. Fae, 41, played a key role in the Ivory Coast’s run to the final in 2006, which ended in a penalty shootout defeat to Egypt. The outcome secured Egypt’s first of their three Africa Cup of Nations titles.

While Egypt has not won the prestigious tournament since their losses in the final in 2017 and 2021, Fae, who stepped in as interim coach after the departure of Jean-Louis Gasset, led the Ivory Coast to the championship in 2023. Fae explained that Egypt’s style of play is characterised by absorbing pressure, disrupting opponents, and seizing opportunities to strike.

“Egypt absorbs pressure; they don’t control the game,” Fae told reporters on Friday. “It’s about disrupting the opponent, and whenever they get a chance, they punish you.” He went on to say that Egypt’s tactics have remained unchanged over the years. “We’ve been watching Egypt, and you could put the images from 2006 back on, it would be exactly the same. This is exactly the Egypt I expected, one that always seems to be in difficulty, that looks like it’s about to crack, but almost never does.”

Fae praised Egypt as a well-rounded team, warning his players against complacency. “They are a complete team, solid defensively and dangerous offensively. You should never be overconfident against Egypt. If you arrive overconfident, you have no chance,” he cautioned. Web Desk