2023 AFCON: Cote d’Ivoire v Guinea-Bissau report

Match 1 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations saw host team Cote d’Ivoire claim a 2-0 win over Group A rivals Guinea-Bissau at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium.

Date: Saturday 13 January 2024

Result: Cote d’Ivoire (1) 2 (S. Fofana 4’, Krasso 58’) Guinea-Bissau 0

Teams: Cote d’Ivoire: Y. Fofana, Singo (Aurier 46’), Diomande (Boly 77’), Ndicka, Konan, Kessie, Sangare (Doumbia 90’), S. Fofana, Boga, Krasso (Konate 61’), Bamba (Pepe 61’)

Guinea-Bissau: Djoco, Encada, Sangante, Djalo, Cande, Cassama (C. Mendes 67’), Bikel, Semedo, Rodrigues (Ze Turbo 75’), C. Mane (Franculino 67’), Balde (D. Gomes 85’)

First 45: The first half highlights were two very similar right-footed drives from Seko Fofana – the first in the fourth minute ripped beyond Ouparine Djoco to give Cote d’Ivoire an early lead, while the second on 35 minutes was tipped onto the crossbar by the goalkeeper to keep the score down to 1-0.

Second 45: The Elephants doubled their lead on 58 minutes when a persistent Jean-Philippe Krasso scored with an acrobatic left-footed volley after good work down the left by Jonathan Bamba.

What the result means: Cote d’Ivoire top the Group A log on three points, while Guinea-Bissau are bottom on zero and with a negative goal difference. The full shape of the group after Matchday 1 will be made clear on Sunday afternoon when Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea face off.

What’s next: The teams will return to Group A action on Thursday 18 January, with Guinea-Bissau facing Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast taking on Nigeria – both at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium.