12/02/2024
2023 Africa Cup of Nations: Côte d’Ivoire boss Emerse Fae wins Best Coach Award
2023 Africa Cup of Nations: Côte d’Ivoire boss Emerse Fae wins Best Coach Award
Emerse Fae has been named the Best Coach of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after leading Côte d’Ivoire’s revival story at the tournament.
The 40-year-old former international player was appointed caretaker coach after the host nation was nearly eliminated from the competition following a 1-0 defeat to Nigeria and a humiliating 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea.
Fae took over and eliminated defending champions Senegal in the round of 16, beat Mali in the quarterfinal with an unbelievable comeback win in extra time followed by an easy win over DR Congo in the semifinal.
The Elephants mounted an incredible comeback win over favourites Nigeria in the final at the Alhassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan to lift the trophy with a 2-1 win.
William Troost-Ekong had put Nigeria ahead seven minutes before the end of a cagey first half when the centre-back rose highest to powerfully head in from nine yards out following a corner.
Franck Kessie nodded in the equaliser in the 62nd minute when he was left unmarked at the back post from Adingra's corner.
Adingra again put in a dangerous cross from the left for Sebastian Haller to net the winner.
After a remarkable run to the final, which included the departure of coach Jean-Louis Gasset after two defeats in the group stage, the Ivorians clinched a third continental title with a deserved victory.
The West Africans add to their previous Nations Cup wins in 1992 and 2015 and become the first tournament hosts to triumph since Egypt lifted the trophy in 2006.
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Tags: 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Adamu Benin Abdul Karim Cote D’Ivoire Emerse Fae
