Ivory Coast's head coach Emerse Faé offered a measured response after his team stunned world champions France 2-1 in a friendly at Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes on Thursday. The 40-year-old, who orchestrated one of the most dramatic African Cup of Nations triumphs earlier this year, insisted the victory was a morale booster but warned his squad against complacency.
The win over Les Bleus—the top-ranked national side on the planet—carries symbolic weight. For a team that lifted the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil just months ago, it reinforces their rising status under Faé’s stewardship. The Ivorian Football Federation took a gamble when they handed the reins to the former midfielder midway through the tournament, but his leadership has since yielded a continental title and now a high-profile scalp.
“Every victory counts,” Faé said in his post-match press conference. “When you beat the world number one, it’s good for morale.” However, he quickly tempered expectations. “We’re not going to get carried away. We must stay concentrated on our objective: the first match against Ecuador.” That upcoming fixture appears to be part of the team’s preparation for future challenges, and Faé’s priority is maintaining focus on the next task rather than dwelling on past achievements.
The encounter against France held personal significance for Faé, a Nantes native who began his professional career at the very club whose stadium hosted the friendly. Facing Didier Deschamps, a World Cup-winning coach who also honed his craft at FC Nantes, added another layer of narrative. “It was a special match, against a coach with an enormous track record, formed like me in Nantes,” Faé acknowledged.
On the pitch, Ivory Coast had to dig deep. The first half saw them cede possession and territory, surviving waves of French pressure. Faé conceded that his side “suffered against our will” before the break, as the hosts exploited gaps and created chances. The Ivorian backline, marshalled by experienced defenders, held firm but the team struggled to build cohesive attacks.
Whatever Faé told his players at halftime triggered a transformation. Ivory Coast emerged with greater structure, pressing more intelligently and moving the ball with purpose. “In the second half, we were able to readjust certain things to have a bit more control,” he explained. The result was a turnaround that stunned the home crowd and sent a message to the rest of the football world.
The psychological impact of beating France cannot be overstated. Since their AFCON victory, Ivory Coast have been navigating the fine line between celebrating a historic achievement and building for the future. Faé’s ability to keep his players grounded while still instilling belief has been a hallmark of his short tenure. The win in Nantes provides tangible proof that the team can compete with the elite.
Looking ahead, the clash with Ecuador offers another test. While details of that fixture are not fully clear, it is part of Ivory Coast’s broader calendar as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and the defense of their AFCON crown. Faé’s emphasis on immediate targets reflects a pragmatic approach—one that helped engineer the mid-tournament resurgence that carried them to the AFCON title.
For Deschamps’ France, the defeat serves as a wake-up call after a string of mixed results. The world champions lacked the clinical edge that defined their 2018 campaign, and questions will arise about their defensive lapses. Yet the story of the night belonged to Ivory Coast and their composed leader, who refused to let the moment eclipse his long-term vision.
Faé’s journey from interim solution to permanent head coach is a testament to his tactical acumen and man-management skills. Taking over a team in crisis at the AFCON, he steadied the ship, navigated eliminatory rounds, and delivered a trophy. Beating France on their own soil is a fitting footnote to that chapter, but Faé is already writing the next one.
The Ivorian players celebrated with measured joy, aware that bigger tests lie ahead. The win adds to the growing belief that Ivory Coast can re-establish itself as a powerhouse on the continent and beyond. Faé’s words, however, serve as a constant reminder that process matters more than one-off results.
In the end, the message from Nantes was clear: Ivory Coast have the quality to trouble any opponent, but their coach’s feet remain firmly on the ground. As Faé put it, “It’s good for morale,” but the real work is just beginning. Based on reporting from L'Equipe.
