The 2023 African Cup of Nations kicks off tomorrow, and Ivory Coast coach Jean-Louis Gasset is leaving no room for underestimation.
In a commanding presence at the pre-match press conference on Friday, Gasset asserted a fundamental shift in perspective: “There are no more small teams.”
Addressing the media with a determined presence, Gasset unveiled the team’s strategic plan – to start the competition on a resounding note. With an eye fixed on the clash against Guinea-Bissau, he shared insights into the team’s approach at the opening of the tournament.
The spotlight turns to tomorrow’s encounter as Ivory Coast takes on Guinea-Bissau in the inaugural match of the 2023 Afcon.
The stakes are high, and the Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium in Ebimpé is set to witness the fiery battle, scheduled for 8 p.m.
“It’s a team that beat Nigeria. We just watched the last matches (…) They are a team that likes to suffer and counter. You need technical mastery and good finishing,” he said.
“A match remains a match. There are no more small teams. If we win the match by a solid score, that means we did well. Our principle is to start well by respecting our instructions. They are very dangerous on the counterattacks. We have to dominate our subject and finish our actions while being technically good,” he added.
