AFCON 2023: Hosts Cote d’Ivoire opens tournament with a comfortable win
The Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire secured a comfortable victory over Guinea-Bissau after a colorful opening ceremony of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the iconic Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium.
Buoyed by the home fans, the Ivorians began the tournament positively with a 4th-minute opener through Seko Fofana whose powerful strike beat goalkeeper Jonas Mendes.
The Elephants took control of the game in the second half when substitute Jean-Philippe Krasso controlled the ball and beat two defenders before firing past Mendes.
The tournament continues Sunday with three games as Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea clash in the second Group A game. Three-time winners Nigeria are making their 20th appearance in the tournament but have never played Equatorial Guinea in the competition.
In Group B, The Black Stars of Ghana will be hoping for a perfect start against Cape Verde. Ghana and Cape Verde are meeting for the second time in the history of the AFCON. Ghana beat Cape Verde 2-0 in the quarterfinals of the 2013 edition, but the current Black Stars are not enjoying good form, and this may serve as a motivation for Cape Verde.
Record African champions Egypt and Mozambique will complete the Sunday schedule in Group B. Egypt and Mozambique have met three times in the history of the competition with the Pharaohs winning all three encounters.
