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On the eve of a historic TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations final, Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae has called on his players to get off to the perfect start in their seismic semi-final against DR Congo.
The Ivorians are chasing a third continental crown but face a dangerous Leopards side on Wednesday after failing to see off seven-time winners Egypt in the round of 16.
Fae knows his talented Elephants must take the initiative from the first whistle at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan after riding their luck en route to the last four.
“In our previous games we struggled at the start,” he admitted frankly before the clash in Abidjan.
“This time we will look to use the confidence we have built up to impose our game from the back.”
Ivory Coast qualified on penalties against Senegal after chasing the game, then left it late to beat Mali with a last-minute winner.
These energy-saving wins were a testament to the spirit Fae has cultivated since taking the reins last year.
“We were almost out, but we refocused as a team, restored trust and realized we had to stick together,” he explained.
“I knew we had the quality, the key was to recreate that team dynamic.”
Fae also believes his men will handle the pressure better against DR Congo with lowered expectations.
“There’s been more pressure in our last two games than this semi-final, even though it’s a bigger game,” he said.
“We will do it by remembering how far we have come and the effort it took to get here.”
Make no mistake, this represents a seismic meeting between two giant clubs of the African game.
With the final tantalizingly close, Fae will urge his Elephants to play fearlessly from the first whistle.
But in DR Congo they face determined opponents with faith under coach Sebastien Desabre.
The Leopards will relish the chance to finally step out of the shadow cast by their golden generation of the 1970s.
Ivory Coast vs DRC has all the makings of a tight and orderly Afcon classic.
However, with a place in the final at stake, Fae will demand his elephants seize their moment on the big stage by making an opening statement.