In a commanding start to their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations journey, Cote d'Ivoire secured a decisive 2-0 win against Guinea-Bissau in the opening match on Saturday night in Abidjan.
The Elephants wasted no time in asserting their dominance on home turf, with Seko Fofana scoring a spectacular goal just four minutes into the game.
The Lens midfielder capitalized on a loose ball outside the box, delivering a powerful strike that beat goalkeeper Jonas Mendes.
Fofana, eager for a second goal, unleashed a potent effort that unfortunately rebounded off the crossbar at the 35th-minute mark.
Despite the occasional counter-attacks from Guinea-Bissau, Cote d'Ivoire maintained control throughout the first half.
The hosts further solidified their lead just before the hour mark, courtesy of substitute Jean-Philippe Krasso's acrobatic finish.
Krasso capitalized on a brilliant setup by Jonathan Bamba, leaving no room for doubt about the outcome.
This composed performance in their tournament opener showcases Cote d'Ivoire's depth and potential for a long-awaited continental triumph on home soil.
The Elephants are set for a more challenging test in their next Group A encounter against three-time champions Nigeria on Wednesday.
With talents like Fofana and the in-form striker Sebastien Haller, Cote d'Ivoire aims to capitalize on the momentum from this victory throughout AFCON 2023.
The convincing opening display suggests that the host nation possesses the quality and determination to contend for the AFCON crown in 2023.
