Cote d’Ivoire kicked off their TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign with a convincing 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau on Saturday night. The match, held in Abidjan, saw the Ivorian team, also known as the Elephants, assert their dominance early on and maintain control throughout the game.
The opening goal came just four minutes into the match, setting the tone for the rest of the evening. Seko Fofana, the Lens midfielder, seized an opportunity outside the box, unleashing a spectacular strike that left Guinea-Bissau’s goalkeeper Jonas Mendes with no chance. Fofana continued to be a significant threat throughout the first half, nearly doubling his tally but was denied by the crossbar at the 35-minute mark.
Despite occasional counter-attacks from Guinea-Bissau, Cote d’Ivoire remained the dominant force after halftime. Their efforts were rewarded just before the hour mark, when substitute Jean-Philippe Krasso executed an acrobatic finish. The goal came after excellent setup work from Jonathan Bamba, solidifying Cote d’Ivoire’s lead and essentially sealing the match’s outcome.
The Elephants’ next challenge in Group A will be a formidable one against three-time champions Nigeria. However, based on this composed and confident opening performance, Cote d’Ivoire appears well-prepared. They are poised to pursue continental glory on their home turf, especially with key players like Fofana and the in-form striker Sebastien Haller showcasing their talent.
Cote d’Ivoire’s blend of skill and team cohesion in this opening match sets a high standard for their campaign, suggesting they could be serious contenders for the AFCON 2023 crown.
