Ivory Coast Football Federation (FIF) has announced the dismissal of national team head coach Jean-Louis Gasset and his deputy, Ghislain Marie Joseph. The decision, attributed to “insufficient results in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON),” came just as the Elephants secured a spot in the knockout stage.
The French-born Gasset, tasked with leading the football powerhouse, faced the axe following Ivory Coast’s unexpected 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea in the AFCON Group A match on Monday. Despite the setback, Ivory Coast managed to secure a place in the last 16, finishing third in their group.
To address the sudden coaching vacuum, Emerse Fae, the U23 team manager, has been appointed to take on additional interim responsibilities, according to the FIF statement.
Having endured a substantial defeat at the hands of Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast’s advancement to the knockout stage was sealed by favorable outcomes in other group matches. Notably, Morocco’s 1-0 victory over Zambia in the same group propelled Ivory Coast among the four highest-ranked third-place nations, securing their place in the AFCON knockouts.
The upcoming challenge for the Elephants in the last 16 presents a formidable opponent in the form of 2021 AFCON winners Senegal. The crucial encounter is scheduled for Monday, promising an intense battle between the former champions and one of Africa’s football powerhouses. As Ivory Coast navigates through this crucial stage of the tournament, the coaching change adds an element of uncertainty to their quest for AFCON glory.
