Franck Kessie of Cote Ivoire © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Monday Jan 12, 2026. 11:08
Côte d’Ivoire captain Franck Kessié has assumed responsibility for his side’s exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The defending champions fell 3-2 to Egypt in their quarterfinal clash at the Stade Adrar in Agadir on Saturday.
The Elephants found themselves 2-0 down in the 32nd minute but managed to half the deficit before the half-time whistle thanks to an own goal from Ahmed Abou El Fotouh.
Mohamed Salah put the game out of reach in the 52nd minute, however, the Elephants refused to give up, once again reducing the deficit to one goal in the 73rd minute.
Kessié made a mistake in the middle of the park which led to the Pharaohs’ opening goal in the fourth minute, an error which the Al Ahli midfielder did not shy away from in the mixed zone following the fixture.
“I’m still human, this proves it once again. There are off-days, when it’s harder,” said Kessié after the game.
The Ivorian captain admitted that the pain of the loss would stick with the squad but that they would bounce back.
“We’re still a family. We lose together, we win together. The next two or three days are going to be very bitter, but we’ll turn the page, because that’s what being a champion is all about. ”
“As the reigning champions, we haven’t achieved our objective. We came here at least to reach the semi-finals, so we’ve missed our chance.”
“We’ll return to our clubs to prepare for the March international break and also the World Cup. Tonight, their plan worked very well ,” he said.
While the reigning champions have missed their opportunity to claim back-to-back titles, Egypt will look to advance to the final as the Pharaohs face Senegal in the tournament’s semi-finals at the Grand Stade de Tanger in Tangier on Wednesday.
By Nic Gleeson