Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)2023 got off to a brilliant start Saturday with an electrifying opening ceremony followed by goals on the side of hosts Ivory Coast that sent fans across the west African nation into frenzied celebrations.
Seko Fofana needed only four minutes to score the first goal of the Africa Cup of Nations for Ivory Coast. The match ended with a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau in the tournament opener.
It was a nervy start from Guinea-Bissau, making just its fourth appearance at the biennial tournament, and Fofana capitalized on a poor clearance by eluding two defenders and shooting inside the right post.
Mama Baldé tried responding with an overhead kick at the other end but it was an isolated attack from Guinea-Bissau, which has never won a game at the tournament. The West African nation has finished bottom of its group in each of its previous three appearances.
Two-time champion Ivory Coast was able to maintain possession and calmly set about creating chances through patient buildup play.
Krasso went close with a header, then Fofana struck the crossbar after Ouparine Djoco got his fingertips to the ball. Krasso missed a good chance from Jonathan Bamba’s cross after Bissau-Guinea defender Marcelo Djaló did enough to put him off.
Red Star Belgrade forward Krasso finally scored in the 58th to put the home fans at ease. They responded with “Olé, olé, olé” around the 60,000-capacity Alassane Ouattara Stadium.
