Ivory Coast faces off against Nigeria in the CAN 2023 final. Alain Lobognon, the former Minister of Sports, believes he knows how to beat the Super Eagles.
Ivory Coast will be up against Nigeria on Sunday, February 11, 2024, for the final of the African Nations Cup 2023 at the Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium in Ébimpé. The Elephants have been sensational from the start of the competition. They are on the cusp of winning the country’s 3rd continental title.
In a message to Faé Émerse, the former Ivorian minister of Sports has asked the head coach of Ivory Coast to make history by winning the cup for his country.
“You are in the final of CAN 2023 with your younger brothers, who know that not only have you worn the national team jersey but also reached this level of the competition with the Elephants in 2006 in Cairo, Egypt. Present in the stands, you had delivered a heroic match against the Egyptians. Alas, in the penalty shootouts, you had been defeated,” reminisced the former ally of Soro.
Alain Lobognon is convinced that Faé Émerse has “the capabilities and means to beat Nigeria in the final.” To him, the successor of Jean-Louis Gasset has managed to build a team and a collective in two weeks, something which the Elephants lacked in the finals they lost in 2006 and 2012.
“Those years, the divisions maintained both in the dressing room and on the pitch had led to unexpected defeats. Today Ivoirians almost unanimously praise your work and your control over a group that finally has a soul. A united group, a group of conquerors who have managed to rally behind them Ivory Coast from camps, villages, cities and the diaspora,” revealed Alain Lobognon.
Mr. Lobognon explained that to win the final victory, Faé Émerse must field the best players he deems fit to play and win the 4th match of the final.
