Ivory Coast coach blames inexperience for World Cup loss to Germany

Ivory Coast's World Cup journey ended with a narrow 2-1 defeat to Germany, a result coach Emerse Fae attributed to his team's inexperience.

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It's more frustration that we're feeling after this defeat, because we were able to open the score against this strong German side.

Germany secured their knockout stage spot with two goals from striker Deniz Undav. Ivory Coast had initially taken the lead through Franck Kessie's rebound finish in the first half.

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A difference in experience that meant in the chances that we did have at the end of the game, where we needed to find the back of the net, we were hesitant.

Fae expressed frustration over the loss, particularly noting his team's hesitation in capitalizing on chances to extend their lead. "A difference in experience that meant in the chances that we did have at the end of the game, where we needed to find the back of the net, we were hesitant," he told reporters.

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We're going to use this game as a lesson to try and fine-tune the mistakes, our shortcomings that we still have, and that will help us go as far as possible.

Despite the disappointment, Fae remained proud of his players' effort and viewed the match as a crucial lesson. "We're going to use this game as a lesson to try and fine-tune the mistakes, our shortcomings that we still have, and that will help us go as far as possible," he said. The team now looks ahead to facing Curacao, with Fae emphasizing that their fate remains in their own control.

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Our destiny is still in our hands, or our feet.