Ivory Coast open AFCON 2023 with 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau
Al Jazeera
The hosts eased to a 2-0 win after raucous opening ceremony delighted fans at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium in Abidjan.
Seko Fofana’s stunning early goal set hosts Ivory Coast on the way to a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau before a euphoric crowd as the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 kicked off in host country’s economic capital Abidjan.
Saudi-based Fofana scored inside four minutes to the delight of the home fans on Saturday night at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium.
It was a goal worthy of winning almost any game but it was followed by Jean-Philippe Krasso’s second-half strike as the Elephants claimed all three points in the Group A encounter.
They were the better team, albeit against one of the tournament’s minnows, as they look to make the most of home advantage to win a third AFCON crown.
“We have been waiting for this moment for a very long time. We didn’t fall into any trap, we won the game, and even if not everything was perfect we are very pleased,” said Fofana.
