Ivory Coast manager Emerse Fae has picked the most difficult opponent for his side in the build-up to winning the 2023 AFCON.
Despite playing Nigeria twice in the tournament, Fae has picked Mali as the most difficult opponent in the tournament.
The Ivory Coast manager believes Mali gave them a good run for their money in the quarter final clash of the tournament.
The Ivorians lost to Nigeria in their second group game of the competition and met the Super Eagles again in the finals, beating the to the title.
But Fae insists Mali was a difficult opponent to beat in their tournament winning journey.
“The Mali match was the most difficult in the tournament,” Fae told Egyptian TV outfit Channel One in an interview.
“We suffered in the first 30 minutes against them and we played with ten players. It was the most difficult and complex match and I asked the players to play as one unit, and we were able to score two goals,” he added.
Ivory Coast had to leave it late to beat Mali with a late strike from Oumar Diakite to advance to the semi-finals of the tournament.