Match report and free highlights as hosts Ivory Coast open Africa Cup of Nations 2023 by beating Guinea-Bissau; Seko Fofana opened scoring in the fourth minute before Jean-Philippe Krasso doubled the lead 13 minutes into the second half; both sides return to Group A action on January 18
Sunday 14 January 2024 07:17, UK
Hosts Ivory Coast 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.
But the hosts, with several players missing through injury, 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 Ivory Coast coach Jean-Louis Gasset will know the three points are all that matters at this early stage of the tournament.
The Frenchman's side got a dream start when Fofana curled his shot into the top corner from 20 yards, settling the nerves of the home players and their supporters.
But after the Ivorians' fast start, Guinea-Bissau settled into the contest and created a few chances themselves.
Forward Mama Balde went for a spectacular bicycle kick when he might have opted for a header before he had an excellent chance to equalise with a clear run on goal but his shot was weak and easily saved by Yahia Fofana.
Seko Fofana came close to a second goal when his powerful drive from the edge of the box was tipped onto the crossbar by Guinea-Bissau's Ouparine Djoco, who was a surprise selection over regular goalkeeper Jonas Mendes.
The hosts created another superb opening before the break when Jonathan Bamba fed Krasso in the box only for the striker to turn the ball wide.
Guinea-Bissau started the second half on the front foot but too often their final pass was poor and they wasted promising positions.
The home side doubled their advantage after 58 minutes when Krasso profited from some hesitant defending and took two touches before acrobatically rifling the ball into the net.
Guinea-Bissau had half-chances after that but have now stretched their run of games without a goal at the Africa Cup of Nations finals to eight.
Ivory Coast play their second Group A game against Nigeria at Alassane Ouattara Stadium on January 18; kick-off 5pm.
Up next for Guinea-Bissau in Group A is a clash with Equatorial Guinea at Alassane Ouattara Stadium on the same day at the earlier time of 2pm.
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