EXCLUSIVE: Benie Traore says Scotland game a different challenge from South Korea

[p]The Elephants decimated the Asians [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/ivory-coast-G2FRjBgn/south-korea-K6Gs7P6G/?mid=Ua91qRCr"]4-0 at the Stadium MK[/a], thanks to goals from Evann Guessand, Martial Godo, Amad Diallo, and Wilfried Singo. [/p][p]In the goal-laden encounter, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/traore-benie/84dmjXxO/"]Traore[/a] came on as a second-half substitute, replacing [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/adingra-simon/6kgBNHG6/"]Simon Adingra[/a] in the 79th minute.[/p][p]Next up for Emerse Fae’s men is Tuesday’s international fixture against the Tartan Army [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/ivory-coast-G2FRjBgn/scotland-fZRU25WH/?mid=OQQVWHwC"]at the Hill Dickinson Stadium[/a].[/p][p]While relishing the result over [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/south-korea/K6Gs7P6G/"]South Korea[/a] inspired by Tottenham Hotspur legend Son Heung-Min, the 23-year-old explained Steve Clarke’s men will pose a different challenge, insisting the team must adjust their approach and stay focused to get another good result.[/p][p]"Of course, (the against South Kore) was an important game for us. We are preparing for the World Cup, so I’m very happy, and the team is also pleased with our performance," Traore told Flashscore.com.[/p][p]"It was a good display, but against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/scotland/fZRU25WH/"]Scotland[/a], we know every match is different. We are taking things one game at a time, focusing on improving with each outing. [/p][p]"These matches are part of our preparation, and they help us build confidence and understanding as a team.[/p][p]"We just want to keep working hard and continue improving as we get ready for the World Cup."[/p][image alt="South Korea vs Cote d'ivoire" id="63f43469-bb09-46e6-8750-11d63cc5b5c9" credit-line="Dennis Goodwin/ProSports / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia" guid="c4e54086-3439-4ee1-9aff-5e23b5b6c6fe" original-width="1400" original-height="932" /][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ivory-coast/G2FRjBgn/"]Ivory Coast[/a] were unable to defend their Africa Cup of Nations title, exiting in the quarter-finals after a 3–2 defeat to Egypt at the Adrar Stadium in Agadir. [/p][p]However, Traore has moved past the disappointment in [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/morocco/IDKYO3R8/"]Morocco[/a], highlighting that the current squad is made up of a new generation of players and expressing optimism about the team’s future.[/p][p][b]"Every generation is different, but we can be strong. We’ll see what happens, but we remain confident about our future and what we can achieve together."[/b][/p][p]Traore who began his football journey at ASEC Mimosas, made his senior international debut against Zambia during the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, where he went on to feature five times.[/p][p]The former Sheffield United and BK Hacken forward has been in excellent form for his Swiss club this season, scoring 10 goals and providing 3 assists in 33 appearances across all competitions in 2025–26.[/p][p]On the other hand, Scotland will be aiming to bounce back from their recent defeat to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/japan/ULXPdOUj/"]Japan[/a], with coach Clarke saying a tough test awaits against the three-time African champions.[/p][p][b]"A big, difficult challenge" [/b]awaits against Ivory Coast, who are "strong, direct, quick, good in attack and defence and were very clinical against South Korea," the 62-year-old told the media.[/p][p]On his side’s defeat to Japan, he said: "The more you do, the more people expect of you, but I'd rather that than people not be bothered. If that level of expectation rises, that's fine - we can handle it."[/p][image alt="Shina Oludare" id="adfb37ed-25f4-485a-a07d-3a0a4cc024eb" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="a0c21ebb-dc51-4e25-abd2-490ffe92a180" original-width="1200" original-height="381" /]