Ivory Coast’s head coach, Emerse Fae, expressed joy over his team’s first-ever qualification for the FIFA World Cup knockouts, calling it a historic moment for Ivorian football. Nicolas Pepe’s two goals secured the victory, marking Ivory Coast’s first advancement to the knockout stage after previous group-stage exits in 2006, 2010, and 2014.
Fae emphasized the importance of support and positive energy from fans for the team’s continued success in the competition. Pepe, attributing the achievement to teamwork, highlighted the collective effort that led to their triumph over Curacao. The team’s unity and determination were praised as key factors in their progress by both Fae and Pepe.
Looking ahead, Ivory Coast will face either France or Norway in the round of 32, with Pepe and Fae emphasizing the team’s readiness to take on any opponent without preferences or calculations.
