Fae Aims to Make History with Ivory Coast's AFCON Title Defense

Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae is confident his team can defend their Africa Cup of Nations title in 2025, a feat not achieved since Egypt in 2008.

Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae is exuding confidence that his team can successfully defend their Africa Cup of Nations title, a feat that has not been achieved since Egypt in 2008. The 2025 AFCON is scheduled to kick off in Morocco on December 21, and Fae is determined to lead his team to victory. The draw, which took place in Rabat on Monday, paired Ivory Coast with Cameroon, Gabon, and Mozambique in Group F.

Fae's team will begin their title defense against Mozambique on December 24 in Marrakesh, followed by matches against five-time champions Cameroon and Gabon. The group stage format guarantees the top two teams in each group a spot in the round of 16, while the best four third-placed teams will also qualify. Fae is undaunted by the challenge, saying, “Sorry Morocco, but we are bringing the trophy back to Abidjan.”

Fae took over as Ivory Coast coach after a disastrous 2024 AFCON campaign under French coach Jean-Louis Gasset, which saw the team suffer a humiliating four-goal loss to Equatorial Guinea. Despite having no prior experience as a senior team coach, Fae led a remarkable turnaround, culminating in a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the final. Fae is determined to build on that success, stating, “There are so many great teams coming to Morocco, but I have no intention of making our supporters cry.”