Ivory Coast’s Calm Plan to Outsmart Egypt: Team, Not a Solo Star, Takes Center Stage
7 January 2026
Match Preview
Ivory Coast coach Emers Fayeh refused to discuss early title chances, insisting on calm preparations ahead of the Morocco 2025 AFCON quarterfinal with Egypt.
Ivory Coast, the reigning champions, says Salah is not their sole focus; the Pharaohs’ strength lies in the team as a whole, not on a single star.
He told the French channel CANAL+ that they will turn the page on the Burkina Faso game and begin preparing for Egypt, working calmly and without overexcited talk about winning the title.
We weren't hiding as some say; we have been working in silence from the start. We came to the tournament with a clear objective, and we are still moving in the same direction—step by step, match by match.
Fayeh stressed that focus will not be on Salah alone, saying: Mohamed Salah is a great player, but we will play against Egypt as a team, not against a single player. Salah won't play alone, so we will focus on the Egyptian side as a whole, analyze strengths and weaknesses, and try to impose our style.
He added: We are not here to boast; we will enter the game with humility and intense focus. If we want to reach the final, we must be able to beat any opponent. Our goal has not changed since the start of the tournament, and we hope to reach the semifinals.
In his message, Fayeh underlined that the team aims for progress game by game, staying confident but grounded.
Sniper joke 1: Ivory Coast’s strategy is so quiet you’ll need subtitles to hear their game plan—Salah, bring earplugs.
Sniper joke 2: If confidence could score goals, Fayeh would already be lifting the trophy; for now, he’s content with a stealthy, surgical approach—quiet but deadly.
