Cote d’Ivoire coach Emmerse Fae says their confirmed qualification for the AFCON will not change their approach to the game against Zambia on Friday.
And midfielder-cum-striker Benie Traore says the team will be looking to make amends for the 1-0 away loss to Sierra Leone which delayed their qualification to the Morocco 2025 AFCON.
Speaking during the pre-match press briefing in Ndola at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Fae said Coted’Ivoire would gun for a win to retain a good ranking on the continent as African champions.
“Qualifying won’t change anything, our first target was to qualify because we are AFCON Champions Now that we have qualified it hasn’t changed our objectives,” he said.
“We don’t want to drop points but want to be among the top four ranked teams in Africa.”
Fae said although playing away presented challenges to any team, his charges will be fighting to win in Ndola.
“Yes, it is difficult to play away but we will give everything so that we can win tomorrow (Friday),” he said.
And Traore said the game against Zambia would be an opportunity for the team to return to its winning ways.
“After a defeat it is always complicated because Cote d’Ivoire players do not take losses very well. It is still painful, that is why we want to win,” said the FC Basel player.
Already qualified Coted’Ivoire tops the group on nine points with Zambia lying second on seven points while Sierra Leone are third on five points.
Chad lies at the tail-end with three points and had their chances wiped out with a 1-1 draw with Sierra Leone.
Top two teams in Group G will qualify to the Morocco 2025 AFCON.
By FAZ Media
