Emerse Fae, the victorious coach of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023, has solidified his place in history as one of the few African tacticians to clinch the prestigious continental title.
In a thrilling finale on Sunday, 11 February, Fae guided the tournament hosts, Cote d’Ivoire, to their third continental triumph with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Nigeria in Ebimpe.
Taking over the reins from Jean-Louis Gasset, Fae orchestrated a remarkable turnaround after his team secured a spot in the knockout stage as one of the third-best placed teams in the group stages. Under his astute guidance, Cote d’Ivoire surged to a pole finish, clinching the coveted title in style.
Fae’s achievement adds his name to the illustrious list of African coaches who have lifted the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations trophy. Since the inaugural edition in 1957, only eleven African coaches have accomplished this feat, a testament to their tactical prowess and leadership.
Among the notable coaches who have guided their nations to glory are Charles Gyamfi of Ghana, Abdelhamid Kermali of Algeria, Clive Barker of South Africa, and Stephen Keshi of Nigeria, to name a few.
Fae’s triumph highlights the growing influence and capability of African coaches in steering their teams to success on the continental stage, paving the way for future generations of tacticians across the continent.
African coaches to win the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON title:
1957 – Mourad Fahmy (Egypt)
1963 – Charles Gyamfi (Ghana)
1965 – Charles Gyamfi (Ghana)
1978 – Fred Osam Doudu (Ghana)
1982 – Charles Gyamfi (Ghana)
1990 – Abdelhamid Kermali (Algeria)
1992 – Martial Yeo (Cote d’Ivoire)
1996 – Clive Barker (South Africa)
1998 – Mohamed Al Gohari (Egypt)
2006 – Hassan Shehata (Egypt)
2008 – Hassan Shehata (Egypt)
2010 – Hassan Shehata (Egypt)
2013 – Stephen Keshi (Nigeria)
2019 – Djamel Belmadi (Algeria)
2021 – Aliou Cisse (Senegal)
2023 – Emerse Fae (Cote d’Ivoire)
