It will be difficult to do better. Champion at home during the last edition, at the end of a miraculous journey, Ivory Coast is moving forward, confident of its strength, to try to win a fourth African Cup of Nations. To do this, it will be necessary to cross what is akin to the “group of death”: the Elephants will have to face Cameroon, Gabon and Mozambique in the first round.
“No opponent scares me,” assures Xavier (31). We were lucky enough to have a magnificent course in the previous edition organized at home. We go from a nightmarish start to the competition to a truly exceptional end. After experiencing that, I think we are no longer afraid of anything. »
In 2024, Émerse Faé’s team exited the group stage thanks to a helping hand from fate, with only three small points, a negative goal difference and a status of best third obtained to everyone’s surprise. To then dismiss successively, and almost each time by first being behind, Senegal, Mali, the Democratic Republic of Congo and finally Nigeria in the final.
Only three nations have achieved the double
“Having had the chance to experience the previous edition in my country of origin, I think that I would not know myself better in terms of emotion,” he recalls. It’s something indescribable. We went from worst to best. This competition will remain engraved in the memories of every Ivorian. For those who were lucky enough to experience it live in the different cities that hosted the competition, in San-Pédro, in Abidjan, in Yamoussoukro… I think they will never forget it, and neither will I. »
Xavier knows that lifting a second African Cup of Nations in a row will not be an easy task. Since the creation of the competition in 1957, only three African nations have managed to retain their continental title: Egypt (1957-1959 & 2006-2008-2010), Ghana (1963-1965) and Cameroon (2000-2002).
“It will be difficult to achieve the double… But in football, nothing is impossible, we can only believe in it! I hope that we can reach the semi-finals at least, in order to best prepare for the 2026 World Cup. This would be the bare minimum to confirm the team’s good form after last year’s victory. If we leave prematurely, it will be a lesson to learn so as not to be ridiculous during the World Cup,” assures the amateur football referee, who works within the Paris District.
“We leave with a new lease of life”
“These years when two competitions take place a few months apart are a little complicated, because the players think first of the World Cup, we are not going to hide it. But as the title holder, we have to not be ridiculous,” he continues.
Ivory Coast will this time be able to count on a squad with new faces. Exit the old generation and make way for the freshness embodied, according to Xavier, by the 19-year-old Leipzig striker Yan Diomandé (4 caps, 2 goals). “He is in great shape, there are several major European teams following him very closely…”, breathes the former educator.
“Certain players, like Max-Alain Gradel (38 years old) for example, will not be among those called up. They have given a lot for the nation for so many years. But now, we are leaving with a new lease of life, much younger players, a squad to rebuild which can continue to perform on the continental and intercontinental scene as Didier Drogba, Yaya Touré or Didier Zokora did before them. » Like Xavier, all the Ivorian people hope to see the new generation take power and imitate their elders, starting this year.
