In 2015, Fernande Tchetche and the entire Cote d'Ivoire women's put up a gutsy performance at the FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada.
Despite exiting the tournament in the group stages, the team's enterprising play is still very much talked about when fans discuss the 2015 edition of the women's global showpiece.
The former national team player sat down with CAFOnline on the sidelines of the CAF Women's Champions League, Cote d'Ivoire 2023 Draw in Abidjan where she alongside South Africa's Janine Van Wyk were present for the draw ahead of the tournament set to take place in Cote d'Ivoire between 05 - 19 November.
She takes us down memory lane about the team's performance and how much of a change the women's game is seeing on the African continent.
You are regarded as one of the greatest defenders of Côte d'Ivoire, what was the greatest moment in your career?
Our qualification to the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, the first in Côte d'Ivoire. Being part of this generation makes me immensely proud pride. It was from this third place at the 2014 Women's African Cup of Nations where it all started and that was another tournament that continues to live on in our minds.
How did you feel when you packed your bags to Canada to compete in the FIFA Women's World Cup?
I was surprised by the time difference (laughs) and the climate. Night falls late around 10pm while at home its already dark by 6pm. It was necessary to adapt to these conditions. I remember us playing our first meeting against Germany, where we conceded a lot of goals which was a serious awakening to global football for us at the time.
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Just to take things back a bit, tell us where and how your passion for the game started?
I would say it's a passion that I inherited hey. My father played football and he passed it on to me genetically I guess (Laughs).
I didn't go through the training centres. It was rather the regular playing when growing up at any given time I had access to a ball. This is where I learned to place myself and understand the basics of the game.
From then on, I never looked back and years later, I represented my nation.
How was it perceived to be a girl that plays football in your time?
I must say it was not easy at all. I was forced to choose: either studies or football. Unfortunately, there has been a lot of girls who have abandoned this sport because of this negative perception of women playing football back in the day.
It was not easy but I continued working hard and it paid off eventually.
How do you look at the evolution of women's football in Africa?
It is in full expansion and growing daily. Girls from all over Africa can freely play football and earn make a living thanks to this sport. Today, women's football in Africa is steadily growing into becoming a job and this is quite encouraging to see.
