By Tata Mbunwe
Host nation Ivory Coast began its quest for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 trophy with a resounding 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan.
Al Nassr forward Seko Fofana secured his place in history by scoring the tournament’s first goal just four minutes into the game.
Fofana seized on a poorly executed pass from Guinea-Bissau’s Jefferson Encada just outside the box, skillfully maneuvered through defenders, and delivered a precision shot into the top corner of the net.
The 28-year-old’s remarkable performance earned him the title of Man of the Match.
Despite Guinea-Bissau’s attempts to recover, the Elephants maintained control.
The second half saw another defensive lapse from Guinea-Bissau, seized upon by Jean-Philippe Krasso, who secured the second goal for the Ivorians at the 60th minute.
Playing on home turf at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, named after the country’s president, Ivory Coast’s Elephants enjoyed the support of an exuberant crowd.
President Alassane Ouattara, in attendance alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino, witnessed the thrilling opening ceremony of the tournament.
Participating in the AFCON for the 25th time, Ivory Coast entered the tournament as the second-favorite nation to win the trophy, according to earlier predictions.
The two-time AFCON winners, whose last triumph was in 2015, have high expectations this year, although they haven’t reached the quarter-finals since their last title.
Coach Jean-Louis Gasset’s team is placed in Group A alongside Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, and Nigeria.
The tournament continues with Group A matches on Sunday, January 14, as Nigeria faces Equatorial Guinea, setting the stage for the much-anticipated clash between the Super Eagles and Ivory Coast on Thursday.
The AFCON 2023 promises to be an exciting spectacle, with Ivory Coast signaling their intent with a commanding opening performance.
