AFCON Preview: Côte d’Ivoire seeks redemption against defending champs, Senegal

In the 2023 African Cup of Nations round of 16, hosts Côte d'Ivoire will square off against reigning champion Senegal in a heavyweight match.

The Ivorians are excited to prove themselves against their highly-rated opponents on Monday (today) after a disappointing group stage performance.

"We are very confident going into the match against Senegal because we trained hard for it. The players are driven, according to Faye Emers, the coach of Côte d'Ivoire.

Having spent a year and a half with the group, I am well acquainted with them. In the Senegal match, the players are aware of what is expected of them. We're going into the game with a lot of confidence," he continued.
In the meantime, Senegal, led by manager Aliou Cisse, won Group B without a loss. After three games, Cisse declared, "Our team is going through a good period where we achieved good results in the group stage, and I am satisfied with it."

We are well-suited to concentrate. I am powerless to alter the past or the outcomes; the statistics are what they are. We're here in the now, and we're going to stay there," he continued.

Following their recent losses, the Côte d'Ivoire Elephants wish to make apologies.

Since I took over as head of the national team, we have collaborated effectively. Despite our poor performance during the group phase, Côte d'Ivoire will always be Côte d'Ivoire. Senegal's preferred team to play against in the final 16, they will choose another team that occupied the best third place other than Côte d’Ivoire,” Emers said.
"When you are competitive, you want to win the continental title, especially when you host the competition," Ivorian midfielder Jean-Michael Seri concurred.

Nothing is impossible in this competition. Things have moved on, and now we have to focus on the future and the match against Senegal.

"I'd rather not discuss what transpired. Within this competition, there will be a new competition in the knockout round, and we hope to advance under the new coach, who is also our big brother.

Senegalese team Teranga Lions know they have a motivated rival on their home ground. We had productive work this week. We have to keep our attention on how we play both defence and attack. We're going to keep our attention on ourselves. in the match, and our goal remains to win,” said Senegal defender Moussa Nyakhate.
He went on, "We have a great deal of respect for the Côte d'Ivoire national team. They have players with good potential."

On the other hand, he said, "The Senegalese team has a great atmosphere." Everybody is in good health. The young players are being mentored by a fantastic group of our experienced members.

Every team is aware of the significant risks. "A strong Côte d'Ivoire team awaits us in the eighth final. We're going to play a really tough game. Rejecting his team's advantage, Cisse stated, "If we win, we will carry on the adventure; if we lose, we will go home.

"This does not matter; we qualified with 9 points and the opponent with 3," he continued. There's a new competition starting now. Côte d’Ivoire remains a major team in Africa, they have good players.
"It was only an accident that they lost their last two games; they will perform better for their supporters."

The Ivorians are hoping to upset the reigning champions in this AFCON last-16 match, with quarterfinal spots up for grabs.

The match between Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire is scheduled for Monday, January 29, at 9 p.m. (Nigerian time) at the Charles Konan Bani Stadium in Yamoussoukro.