Emerse Fae expressed frustration after Ivory Coast’s AFCON journey ended

The Elephants, who were in the North African nation to defend the title they had lifted in 2023 on home soil, failed to reach the semi-finals stage after losing 3-2 against a spirited Egypt at Stade Adrar in Tangier.

Speaking after the game, Fae conceded defeat insisting his players made a lot of mistakes while admitting the third goal from Egypt killed off their comeback hopes.

“We are frustrated by tonight’s result. We had prepared our players to face this Egyptian team, but we made far too many mistakes at key moments,” Fae told CAF Media.

“What hurts most are those mistakes. It took us some time to get into the match. I regret conceding the first goal so early, as well as the second. But the third goal put us in trouble. It’s hard to explain these lapses in concentration. We will continue to work for the World Cup.”