Afcon 2023: Group A MD1 Reviews – Bright start for Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria falter

By Wale Mustapha

After much anticipations and euphorias, the 2023 African Cup of Nations, went underway in Ivory Coast with Group A matches decided both on Saturday and Sunday.

Hosts, Ivory Coast did enough to ensure a bright start to life as they recorded a 2-0 victory over group minnows, Guinea-Bissau at the Stade Olympique d’Ebimpé on Saturday night, a carnival charged atmosphere.

A goal in each half from Seko Fofana and Jean-Phillipe Krasso set the tone for what might be another challenging and interesting AFCON tourney.

The Ivorians though had more chances to increase the tally but they wouod be satisfied with a two-goal victory.

On Sunday, one of tournament’s favorites, Nigeria came up against Nzalang Nationale of Equatorial Guinea at the same venue.

The inconsistent Super Eagles were expected to have an easy run against the Central Africans.

The Super Eagles made a bright start to the contest but missed the chance to be in front with efforts from Alex Iwobi, Victor Osimhen and Zaidu Sanusi went off target.

Surprisingly, the Super Eagles fell behind when the Guineans shocked them with a perfect finish through Ivan Salvador.

The three-time AFCON winners responded quickly with a bear perfect team build up as Osimhen headed home a pinpoint cross from Ademola Lookman.

Nigeria raised their game in second half and came close to seeing off the Guineans, they failed to make the chances count.

Osimhen was the major culprit as the Napoli striker’s saw his finishing let him down at the crucial moment, as he frustratingly miscued his Nigeria’s final goalscoring opportunity the wrong side of the post.

The Super Eagles will surely want to bounce back against hosts Ivory Coast on Thursday – with the Elephants already sitting atop of Group A after beating Guinea Bissau on Saturday.

The usual permutations might begin in earnest for Super Eagles’ faithful who will expect a decent result against the Elephants and also hope that the match between two gulf nations end with a favorable result.