Posted by:
Shadowed by Jean-Louis Gasset, whom he served as assistant coach for the Ivory Coast national team, Emerse Faé managed to turn the Elephants’ fortunes around after a dismal start to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
Former Ivory Coast international Emerse Faé’s name is now on everyone’s lips. The former Nantes man has successfully revitalized the Elephants following the sacking of French coach Jean-Louis Gaschet following disastrous group stage results.
With Faé at the helm, the Elephants, who qualified as the third-best team, underwent a spectacular transformation during the knockout stages.
Despite being considered the overwhelming favourites, Senegal were the first victims of this revival in the round of 16. Mali were also eliminated in the quarter-finals, followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo in the semi-finals.
Contrary to all initial predictions, Kessié and his teammates will compete in Sunday’s final against Nigeria.
The Ivorians have a golden opportunity to avenge their defeat against the Super Eagles, who handed them their first defeat of the competition (1-0) in the second match of the group stage.
At just 40 years old, Emerse Faé is 90 minutes away from making history for his country.
He didn’t get the chance to be part of the Ivorian team during the final defeat in 2012 or when the team won the title in 2015. But a wonderful fate awaited the man who is now hailed by the entire Ivorian people.
As a professional player, Emerse Faé’s career was cut short by repeated injuries. He trained in Nantes in France and spent most of his career there (2003-2007).
From 2007 to 2009, he played for Reading FC before finishing his career at OGC Nice, where he stayed between 2009 and 2012. The midfielder was forced to retire on 1 February 2012, aged just 28, due to recurring blood clots.
A Certified Football Coach, Fae began his coaching career with the U19 side in Nice, France in 2012. He remained there until 2021 before taking over the coaching staff at Clermont Foot 63.
In 2022 he was appointed assistant to Jean-Louis Gasset for the Ivorian Elephants. He replaced the French coach on occasion during the home AFCON tournament.