Ivory Coast's interim coach, Emerse Fae, is rallying his team for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Fae is urging his players to maintain the same resilient mindset that led to their remarkable comeback in the tournament so far.
The Elephants secured a spot in the semi-finals after a thrilling quarter-final victory against Mali, overcoming a 1-0 deficit with 10 men and eventually winning 2-1 in extra time.
Fae emphasised the significance of their mental strength, pointing to their extraordinary recovery against Senegal in the round of 16 and their escape from the group stage as the last of the best third-placed teams.
Addressing reporters in Abidjan on Tuesday, Fae acknowledged their impressive journey, stating, "We will draw strength from that and remind ourselves that our mindset is solid."
Despite recent success, Fae is cautious not to underestimate the challenges ahead and rejects relying solely on destiny. He attributes their miraculous victories to the players' unwavering fighting spirit and belief until the final whistle.
Taking charge after the dismissal of Jean-Louis Gasset, Fae recognises the significance of Ivory Coast's transformation from a heavy group-stage defeat to standing just one game away from the AFCON final.
The upcoming match at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium marks Ivory Coast's first appearance since the humiliating loss on January 22.
Acknowledging the stakes involved, Fae expresses confidence that the team has come too far to crumble under pressure. He highlights the squad's resilience in overcoming adversity and firmly states their determination to reach the final.
However, Ivory Coast face challenges as key players, including Oumar Diakite, Serge Aurier, Christian Kouame, and Odilon Kossounou, are suspended for the semi-final. Fae acknowledges the loss of Diakite but remains confident that the remaining squad will fight hard and give their best to secure a spot in the final.
