As usual we play all matches to win them. It’s true that we are coming off a defeat which caused us to lose a lot of points in the FIFA rankings. And as we already have qualification in our pocket, the objective now is to remain among the six best African teams to be seeded and regain our place as fourth African team in the FIFA rankings. The objective is therefore to win the two matches to move up the FIFA rankings and make the draws for the next CAN as top seed.
We will not approach the match as qualified. We will approach the match as a team that lost its last match and as a team that lost 3-0 on its last visit to Zambia. The qualification fell last night and we are happy. But we prepared for the match all week. We did not prepare for the match as a qualifier. We prepared for the match as a team which today has a standing to defend and having lost the last match here and the last official match. We must react and show a better face.
We will not have turnover. This is what you accused me of. Tomorrow (November 15) we will make a team to win. We know that Zambia is playing in their qualification so they will put pressure on us. The supporters will put pressure on us too. This is high-level football. We know what we want. The players are aware of this. We will restart the momentum and resume our winning streak.
Traoré Bénie Adama, striker
“We know that Ivory Coast does not like defeats”
We are already qualified but that changes absolutely nothing to our state of mind as African champions. There is a good atmosphere. And regarding tomorrow’s match we came with our objectives and a plan that we will respect tomorrow.
After a defeat it’s always complicated because Ivory Coast doesn’t like defeats. So we come with this mentality to seek victory. I am available to the coach. I am a professional. I’m preparing for all kinds of challenges.
Friday’s match, although not decisive for the Elephants, is therefore crucial for the Zambians. But the Ivorians, also motivated, intend to prove their solidity and their ambition on the African scene, a way of reassuring themselves before the great football festival in Morocco.
SERCOM FIF
Morocco
