2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosts, Cote d’Ivoire defeated Guinea-Bissau 2-0 in the tournament opener on Saturday, www.aclsports.com reports.
The Elephants, playing on home soil as hosts for the first time since 1984, did not waste time to signal their intentions as Seko Fofana grabbed the tournament’s first goal with a fierce strike after just four minutes. Early in the second half, Jean-Phillipe Krasso secured the win with the game’s second goal much to the delight of over 30,000 Ivorian fans in the Alassane Ouattara Stadium.
Cote d’Ivoire coach Jean Louis Gasset left skipper Serge Aurier on the bench, while Krasso started upfront in the absence of the injured Sebastian Haller.
It was one way-traffic in the opening minutes and the early dominance led to a goal as Fofana fired one home from just inside the area. From that moment on, the hosts kept pouring forward but could not add to their tally.
At the other end, Guinea-Bissau could have got back on level terms after Evan Ndicka lost the ball but Samba Balde’s effort was too weak to trouble goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.
Seko kept threatening at the other end as Franck Kessie teed him up but the former’s effort came off the woodwork. Meanwhile, the Elephants took the slender into the break.
After the interval, Serge Aurier came in to replace Wilfried Singo and the hosts wasted no time to double their lead. Forward Krasso took a lose clearance under control before firing past goalkeeper Ouparine Djoco in the Guinea-Bissau goal.
Both coaches opted for numerous changes as the game progressed but the deed had been done as the hosts took all three points to kick off their quest for a first AFCON title win since 2015.
Samuel Areo reporting from inside the Alassane Ouattara Stadium
