By Angu Lesley
Football writer kick442.com – Cameroon
Côte d’Ivoire head coach Emerse Faé has insisted that the Elephants are aiming for another victory when they face Germany in their second group game at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The African champions opened their campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ecuador, with substitute Amad Diallo scoring the decisive goal in the 90th minute to hand the Ivorians a dream start to the tournament.
While Diallo provided the winning moment, teenage sensation Yan Diomande was one of the standout performers of the match. The 19-year-old winger tormented the Ecuadorian defence throughout the encounter with his dribbling and creativity, earning widespread praise for his Man of the Match display.
Amad Diallo scores on his FIFA World Cup debut for Ivory Coast
Buoyed by the victory, Faé says his side has no intention of merely making up the numbers at the World Cup.
We did not come here to visit the United States and then go back home,” Faé said.
We beat France 2-1 in a friendly on June 4 and we started this competition well against Ecuador, a very tough team.”
Looking ahead to the clash with four-time world champions Germany, the former Côte d’Ivoire international acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge but stressed that his team will play to win.
The next match against Germany will be difficult. Germany have a lot of experience and have won the World Cup several times. They have players from the biggest clubs in Europe and tremendous attacking power.”
But we will go there to challenge them, to win and secure our qualification as early as the second matchday,” he added.
A victory over Germany would guarantee Côte d’Ivoire a place in the knockout rounds and further underline their status as one of Africa’s most dangerous sides on the global stage.
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