Ivory Coast has appointed Emerse Fae as head coach on a permanent basis following his impressive performance as interim coach during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Fae, a former Ivorian international, assumed the role of interim coach after the team parted ways with veteran French coach Jean-Louis Gasset during the tournament.

When Fae took over, Ivory Coast was on the verge of elimination, but a series of fortunate events, including Morocco’s victory over Zambia, enabled the Elephants to advance to the knockout stages.

Fae capitalized on this opportunity and demonstrated his capabilities by leading the team to an exceptional run in the tournament.

Under Fae’s leadership, the Elephants overcame deficits in several matches, notably securing a thrilling comeback win against Senegal in the round of 16, a 10-man victory over Mali in the quarter-finals, and a 1-0 semi-final triumph over DR Congo.

The team’s impressive performances culminated in a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the final, clinching Ivory Coast’s first Africa Cup of Nations title since 2015.

Fae’s success as interim coach has now led to his confirmation as the permanent head coach, as announced by Idriss Diallo, the president of the Ivoirian federation, stating, “Emerse was previously serving as interim coach and has now officially been appointed as our head coach.”

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In his new role, Fae’s main objectives will be to secure qualification for the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco and defend the title.

Additionally, he aims to lead the team to qualification for the 2026 World Cup, after missing out on the previous two tournaments.

With Fae leading the team, the future looks bright for Ivory Coast, as his tactical expertise, leadership qualities, and ability to motivate players have earned him acclaim from both fans and pundits.