Ivory Coast, the host nation for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), has decided to part ways with manager Jean-Louis Gasset despite the possibility of advancing to the round of 16. The decision comes in the wake of two consecutive group-stage losses to Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea, the latter resulting in a 4-0 defeat.

Although Ivory Coast still has a chance to qualify for the knockout stages as one of the best third-placed teams, their fate depends on the overall group stage results determining their position among the top third-placed teams.

In a press statement released on Wednesday, the Ivory Coast Football Federation (FIF) announced the termination of Gasset and his assistant Ghislain Printant’s contracts, citing “insufficient results” as the reason. The FIF expressed regret for the team’s performance during the group phase but remains optimistic about the potential of the national team, calling for unity moving forward.

Gasset took charge of the team in 2022, succeeding Patrice Beaumelle. The Frenchman, with previous experience as an assistant coach for the France men’s national team and Paris Saint-Germain, faced a challenging situation with Ivory Coast in the AFCON 2023.

Despite a promising start with a 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau on January 13, subsequent losses to Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea on January 18 and 21, respectively, have put their tournament continuation at risk. If they manage to qualify, Ivory Coast will face either the winner of Group B (Cape Verde) or Group C in the round of 16.