Goals from Seko Fofana and Jean-Philippe Krasso ensured hosts Ivory Coast would get off to a winning start against Guinea-Bisaau at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday in Abidjan.
It didn’t take long for Fofana to score the opener at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, with the Al Nassr midfielder putting the hosts ahead with a terrific strike under four minutes.
Fofana received a low pass from Franck Kessie on the left of the box and tricked his way into the box before bending a powerful right-footed shot inside the far post from just inside the penalty area.
In the 58th minute, Krasso scored the second goal of the game after taking a touch to control the incoming cross, then another one while under pressure, before turning and sending his left-footed into the corner, giving the Bissau Guineans goalkeeper Ouparine Djocono no chance.
Ivory Coast are now unbeaten in their last 13 opening AFCON matches, winning seven of them.
This was their 100th AFCON game and they’re the third team to reach that total, behind Egypt and Ghana.
The Ivorians will play the Super Eagles in their second game on Thursday January 18 and will be eager for a win against the three-time champions to put themselves in pole position at the top of the table.
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