Côte d’Ivoire Coach Reflects on Painful AFCON 2025 Exit Against Egypt
The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 is heating up, but for Côte d’Ivoire, the dream of lifting the continental trophy has come to an abrupt end. In a thrilling quarter-final, the Elephants were edged out by Egypt, with the Pharaohs securing a tight 3–2 victory.
Speaking after the match, Côte d’Ivoire's head coach lamented the result, pointing to both missed opportunities and defensive lapses that ultimately cost his team a place in the semi-finals. “It was a hard-fought match, and we had our chances,” he said. “Unfortunately, we couldn't capitalize on them, and Egypt made us pay for our mistakes.”
The match held at the Stade Olympique d’Ebimpé saw Côte d’Ivoire take an early lead through a stunning strike by their star forward. However, Egypt quickly responded, equalizing before the half-time whistle. In the second half, the Pharaohs took control, scoring two more goals, putting the Elephants on the back foot.
- The first goal for Egypt came from a well-executed set piece.
- The second was a result of a defensive error by the Ivorian backline.
- Côte d’Ivoire managed to pull one back in the dying minutes, but it was too little, too late.
Despite the loss, the coach praised his players for their effort and resilience throughout the tournament. “I am proud of the team's spirit. We fought until the end, and that is something to build on for the future,” he remarked.
Looking ahead, Côte d’Ivoire will need to regroup and focus on upcoming competitions, using this experience as a learning opportunity. Meanwhile, Egypt advances to the semi-finals, where they will face a formidable opponent, continuing their quest for another AFCON title.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Egypt to see if they can maintain their momentum and secure a spot in the finals. For Côte d’Ivoire, it is back to the drawing board, with hopes of a stronger comeback in future international competitions.
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