Côte d'Ivoire: Émerse Faé reappointed as head coach of the Elephants?

Côte d’Ivoire is not expected to rush into a coaching change. According to journalist Sanh Séverin for Sport News Africa, Émerse Faé has been reappointed for three months as head coach of the Elephants by the FIF emergency committee.

A decision made under tight timing

Faé's contract expires before the 2027 AFCON qualifiers scheduled to take place in Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. The problem is, Côte d’Ivoire kicks off its campaign at home against Ghana on September 23, 2026—just 11 days after the election of the new FIF president. That is simply too short a window to appoint a new coaching staff.

Meeting with the president, the first vice president, and the two league presidents, the emergency committee made its decision after "heated debates." The options: extend Faé until the end of the year or let his assistants Demel and Gouamené take charge. The decision had to be made before August 15, the deadline for sending out preliminary call-ups.

A three-month mission

The decision was finally confirmed—Faé will remain in charge for the Ghana match, and the newly elected board will then decide his future. Under his leadership, the Elephants reached the group stage of a World Cup for the first time. African champions in 2023 and quarter-finalists in 2025, Émerse Faé is set to continue for at least three more months.

Nafongo TRAORE |

News Editorfr, ar, en

Nafongon Moussa TRAORE, Burkinabè de 25 ans, est passionné de football, est rédacteur pour Foot Africa et commentateur pour BurkiFoot.

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