AFCON: Cote D’Ivoire Stuns Guinea-Bissau In Opening Match

By: Gyang Dakwo

Hosts Cote D’Ivoire opened Africa Cup of Nations 2023 with a 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau at Alassane Ouattara Stadium.

Goals in either half from Seko Fofana (4) and Jean-Philippe Krasso (58) in Abidjan did the damage as the Elephants made a perfect start to Group A.

In energy-sapping humidity, Fofana gave his side an early lead with a superb shot from the edge of the box before Krasso made up for an earlier miss when he acrobatically netted a second just before the hour.

The Ivorians were always favourites against a Guinea-Bissau team who have now not won any of their 10 Africa Cup of Nations matches.

With several players missing through injury, Cote D’Ivoire will be pleased to have started their campaign on a positive note in front of an expectant 60,000 crowd.

It was a far-from-perfect performance from the hosts and Guinea-Bissau were left to rue several missed opportunities, but Cote D’Ivoire coach Jean-Louis Gasset will know the three points are all that matters at this early stage of the tournament.

Nigeria will take on Equatorial Guinea later on Sunday in the second group A match.