Fae, 41, was part of the Ivorian squad that fell to Egypt in a penalty shootout that year – a result that secured Egypt’s first of three consecutive titles and cemented their dominance in African football from 2006 to 2010.
Now, as head coach, he is determined to ensure history does not repeat itself.
“Egypt absorbs pressure, they don’t control games; it’s about disrupting the opponent and, whenever they get a chance, punishing them,” Fae told reporters on Friday, according to SuperSport.
“We were watching Egypt, but you could put the images from 2006 back on and it would be exactly the same. This is exactly the Egypt I expected, an Egypt that always seems to be in difficulty, that looks like it’s about to crack, but almost never does.”
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The Pharaohs needed extra time to overcome Benin 3-1 in the round of 16, while the defending champions dispatched Burkina Faso 3-0, with Manchester United winger Amad Diallo making a standout impression. But Fae insists Ivory Coast must focus on the complete threat posed by Egypt, particularly their attacking firepower.
“They are a complete team, solid defensively and dangerous offensively,” he said.
“You should never be overconfident against Egypt. If you arrive overconfident, you have no chance.”
Fae’s words reflect both caution and experience, emphasizing discipline and respect as Ivory Coast prepare to face a side boasting world-class talent, including Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush.
With the quarter-final looming, Fae’s message is clear: the Pharaohs cannot be underestimated, and Ivory Coast must combine focus, resilience, and tactical intelligence if they hope to advance to the semi-finals.