{"id":800152,"date":"2024-11-16T12:25:04","date_gmt":"2024-11-16T12:25:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/?p=800152"},"modified":"2024-11-16T12:26:46","modified_gmt":"2024-11-16T12:26:46","slug":"cote-divoire-emerse-fae-openly-names-the-man-to-blame-for-defeat-by-zambia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/africa\/cote-divoire-emerse-fae-openly-names-the-man-to-blame-for-defeat-by-zambia","title":{"rendered":"C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire: Emerse Fae openly names the man to blame for defeat by Zambia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

C\u00f4te d’Ivoire lost 1-0 to Zambia on Friday 15 November at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola in the penultimate round of qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The loss, which follows an earlier defeat to Sierra Leone, leaves the Elephants second in Group G behind the Chipolopolos, who have already qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. After the match, Emerse Fa\u00e9 openly pointed the finger at those responsible for the Elephants’ defeat.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite some clear chances, notably a powerful shot from Jean-Eudes Aholou that was well saved by the Zambian goalkeeper, the Ivorians were unable to find the net at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Friday. The only goal of the game, scored by Kennedy Musonda in the 43rd minute from a precise cross by Joseph Sabobo, was enough for the Chipolopolo to claim victory.  Vakoun Bayo, who came on as a substitute, thought he had snatched a late equaliser, but his goal was disallowed for offside, leaving the Elephants frustrated and without a response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite this second defeat in a row, C\u00f4te d’Ivoire still qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations thanks to their nine points, although not enough to retake the lead in Group G from Zambia (10 points).  This qualification does not erase the concerns surrounding the Elephants’ performances, which have been mixed. As reigning African champions, C\u00f4te d’Ivoire are expected to perform at a much higher level if they are to win back a competition they have won three times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Emerse<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Emerse Fa\u00e9 names strikers as culprits<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

C\u00f4te d’Ivoire will be going to the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations with high expectations. If they qualify, the challenge will be to rise to the occasion in the final phase against formidable opponents.  But after the defeat to Zambia, Elephants coach Emerse Fa\u00e9 did not mince his words. In a press conference, he clearly singled out his forwards as the main culprits behind the poor performance against the Chipolopolo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We didn’t perform. I’m disappointed by the way we played. It’s a defeat that’s hard to explain. Offensively, we showed nothing, and too many players were below their usual level,”<\/em> he declared firmly.  The Ivorian coach did not hesitate to make radical changes in the second half, withdrawing Adingra, Krasso and Guessand, who were unable to impose themselves against the Zambian defence. It was a decision that reflected his disappointment with their performance. “Our forwards weren’t effective, and that’s costing us dearly,”<\/em> he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83c\udf99\ufe0f Emerse Fa\u00e9 :

"Nous n\u2019avons pas \u00e9t\u00e9 au rendez-vous. Je suis d\u00e9\u00e7u par la mani\u00e8re dont nous avons jou\u00e9. C\u2019est une d\u00e9faite difficile \u00e0 expliquer.

Offensivement, nous n\u2019avons rien montr\u00e9, et trop de joueurs \u00e9taient en dessous de leur niveau habituel."

(CP) pic.twitter.com\/fO8asnJhwf<\/a><\/p>— S\u00e9l\u00e9phanto Football \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddee\ud83d\udc18 (@Selephanto) November 15, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote>