Coach Fae Faces Scrutiny, Zaha Returns to Team as Ivory Coast Pursues Back-to-Back Afcon Titles

Posted : 14 December 2025

Ivory Coast heads into the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) with high expectations, aiming to achieve what no team has done in 15 years: defend the continental title. Since Egypt’s 2010 triumph over Ghana, seven different nations have won the Afcon in eight tournaments. Ivory Coast, however, has emerged as a dominant force, winning the trophy in 2015 after a penalty shootout against Ghana and repeating as champions last year by overcoming Nigeria in a dramatic comeback on home soil.

The Elephants, whose Afcon history dates back to their first title in 1992, start their title defence against Mozambique on December 24 in Group F. They will also face five-time champions Cameroon and Gabon. The tournament format allows all six group winners and runners-up, along with the four best third-placed teams, to advance to the round of 16, making progression to the knockout stage a likely outcome for Ivory Coast.

Coach Emerse Fae has faced criticism over his squad choices, particularly the exclusions of Villarreal forward Nicolas Pepe and Sunderland winger Simon Adingra. “If we were to consider only the sporting aspect, he (Pepe) would be with us,” Fae explained, emphasizing that off-field factors also influenced his decisions. Regarding Adingra, Fae noted, “Simon is struggling to earn a starting spot at Sunderland. We had to do without his qualities when making our selection.”

In contrast, former Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha returns to the national team after a three-year absence following an impressive spell in Major League Soccer with Charlotte. “His ability to beat defenders and current form worked in his favor,” Fae said, highlighting Zaha’s 10 goals and six assists this season as key assets for Ivory Coast’s attack.

Fae became a national hero after leading Ivory Coast to last year’s Afcon title. Initially assisting Jean-Louis Gasset, he took full charge after the French coach was dismissed during the group stage. Despite finishing the group as one of the lowest third-placed teams, the Elephants defeated Senegal, Mali, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nigeria to lift the trophy, becoming the first team to lose twice in the group stage and still win the tournament.

Cameroon is widely considered the biggest threat in Group F, while Gabon’s defensive vulnerabilities and Mozambique’s historical record—never having won an Afcon match in 15 appearances—make them less formidable opponents. Recent changes in Cameroon’s coaching staff, including the firing of Belgian coach Marc Brys by newly re-elected football federation president Samuel Eto’o, signal a renewed focus for the Indomitable Lions. Gabonese star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang described the group as a “group of death,” emphasizing that surviving it would signal true championship potential.

Ivory Coast’s campaign will also feature notable veterans, including 42-year-old Mozambican midfielder Elias ‘Domingues’ Pelembe, who could become the second oldest player to appear at an Afcon, following Egypt’s goalkeeper Essam El Hadary.

Coach Fae Faces Scrutiny, Zaha Returns to Team as Ivory Coast Pursues Back-to-Back Afcon Titles

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