Cote d’Ivoire defeats Guinea-Bissau 2-0 in AFCON 2023 curtain-raiser

The TotalEnegriesAFCON2023 opener saw the host nation Cote d’Ivoire secure a dominant victory over the Wild Dogs of Guinea-Bissau, courtesy of goals from Seko Fofana and Jean Phillips Krasso in both halves of the game.

Although it was the first competitive encounter between both teams, Cote d’Ivoire who are participating in their 25th Africa Cup of Nations wasted no second in exerting their dominance over the Wild Dogs who’re on their fourth participation in the tourney.

This will be the first encounter between Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations.

Head-to-Head stands at 0: Match facts and stats ⤵️#AFCONWithMIAS#AFCON2023 #CAN2023#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/CGM0K539gJ

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Captain Seko Fofana leveraged the host country’s early dominance, as the Al-Nassr’s midfielder unleashed a curler from Franck Kessié’s pass to grab the tourney’s first goal in the fourth minute.

After failing to capitalize on other opportunities in the first half, the Elephants doubled their lead about 13 minutes into the second half through Krasso’s brilliant finish inside the box.

Jean-Louis Gasset’s side were rarely threatened by Guinea-Bissau, as they held on for an important victory that saw them claim all three points as they began their search for their third AFCON trophy.

Come tomorrow, the Super Eagles of Nigeria will take on Equatorial Guinea for the concluding first round of games in Group A, while Group B action will see Egypt take on Mozambique and the Black Stars of Ghana against the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde.