"The victory of Cote d'Ivoire over Cameroon has redressed their football rivalry, hence Cote d'Ivoire deserved to qualify to World Cup 2006" according to Coach Henri Michel of the Ivorian squad.
French-born coach, Henri Michel made the observation here Saturday after his players' beat Cameroon's Indomitable Lions in a hotly fought quarterfinal match.
"We beat Cameroon to restore the truth. There was one team, that is Cote d'Ivoire, which was very well organised in the game and was able to win the match. My team also got the upper hand over Eto'o and his team-mates, who have been a real obstacle for the Ivorian team during the qualifying rounds," Michel noted.
Despite this victory, which he considers as a source of psychological comfort for his squad group, Cote d'Ivoire's coach urged his players to work harder in anticipation for semi-final duel with Nigeria.
"We won, but the competition is still on and I would like my players to concentrate on the semi-final match against Nigeria," he further advised.