Cote d’Ivoire 2-0 Guinea Bissau: Nigeria’s foes Elephants silence Djurtus in opener

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) officially kicked off with a 2-0 victory for host Cote D’Ivoire against Guinea Bissau at the Stade Alassane Ouattara, Ebimpe on Saturday.

Two goals in either half from Sekou Mohamed Fofana and Jean Philippe Krasso lifted the Elephants to a win in the AFCON 2023 opener.

It took just four minutes for Fofana to score the first goal as he beat some Djurtus players before hitting a shot into the back of the net inside the box.

Baciro Cande’s side had the chance to equalise before the end of the first period but couldn’t convert their opportunities.

Krasso in the 58th minute sealed the win for Jean Louis Gasset’s side with an early contender for the goal of the tournament.

The win moved Cote D’Ivoire top of Group A ahead of their second game and a highly anticipated one against Nigeria.

The Super Eagles will open their campaign at the same stadium against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.

Jose Peseiro and his captain, Ahmed Musa are confident of getting a win on Sunday during their pre-match press conference.