Ivory Coast 2-0 Guinea-Bissau: As it happened

21:13 - 13 January 2024

Follow the action as Ivory Coast begin their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations quest on home soil against Guinea-Bissau.

FT Ivory Coast 2-0 Guinea-Bissau

The host begin their #AFCON2023 campaign with a win, over to you Nigeria..

Let’s top Group A tomorrow..💪🏾#AFCON2023 #AFCON

📷: @PoojaMedia pic.twitter.com/oMYwhzRynY
— Ibukun Aluko (@IbkSports) January 13, 2024

The opening game of #AFCON2023 saw a turnout of 36,858 spectators at the Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium, which has a total capacity of 60,012

Underwhelming!#AFCONwithToyosi pic.twitter.com/XAalyG6fUd
— The 𝘛ó𝘺ò𝘴í 𝘈𝘧𝘰𝘭á𝘺𝘢𝘯 (@Toyosi4layan) January 13, 2024

FULL-TIME!

One goal in each half mean the hosts secure the first 3 points of the tournament. 🇨🇮#CIVGNB | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/EOD6H8UoEj
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 13, 2024

FULLTIME. Ivory Coast 2-0 Guinea Bissau. In truth, it was a dull second half with even duller commentary to endure but the hosts won't mind. They have a win and a clean sheet.

73' Both teams make changes but there is not a lot to report here in Abidjan where it's still Ivory Coast 2-0 Guinea Bissau.

🚨🚨| GOAL: Ivory Coast double their lead in the Afcon opener!

Ivory Coast 2-0 Guinea Bissau

pic.twitter.com/ASCkOuRCBC
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) January 13, 2024

The Red Star Belgrade striker controlled the ball well and fired home past the goalkeeper after a few juggles of the ball.

58' GOALLLLLLLLLLL!!! 2-0 IVORY COAST!!! Jean-Philippe Krasso doubles the lead for the hosts and all but secures a win on opening day.

46' The interval is done and the second half commences, will the Ivorians add to their lead or will Guinea Bissau find the equaliser? The next 45 minutes will tell.

Sekou Fofana with the only goal in the opening match! 🇨🇮#AFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/JiY4gHDCJS
— Pulse Sports Nigeria (@PulseSportsNG) January 13, 2024

HALFTIME! Ivory Coast lead by a goal to nil going into the break and Guinea Bissau have some work to do if they hope to avoid defeat.

37' Seko Fofana hits the woodwork with another powerful strike which was actually pushed onto the crossbar by the goalkeeper to deny the midfielder his second of the night.

29' Chance for Guinea Bissau as Mama Balde swept past a couple of defenders inside the box and tried to score low in the middle of the goal, but great anticipation by Yahia Fofana allowed him to make a comfortable save.

The earlier intensity has sort of died down halfway through the half here in Abidjan, Ivory Coast still in control.

This atmosphere at the Palais de la Culture Treichville is a representation of what is happening in Côte d’Ivoire 🇨🇮 right now as the #AFCON2023 gets underway #AFCONWithClive #CIVGNB pic.twitter.com/r5BYFTL5EL
— Omutegeke | 🇺🇬🎙️ (@CliveKyazze) January 13, 2024

The atmosphere outside the stadium is just as incredible if not even louder and more rapturous. Listen for yourself and judge.

Guinea Bissau got punished very early after making two silly mistakes from the same player who is desperate to pump the ball up field.

Listen to the roar and cheer from the crowd.#AFCON2023 #CIVGNB #CAN2023 pic.twitter.com/Eg8JQe9OJE
— Nsidibe Akpan (@nsidibeakpan23) January 13, 2024

The atmosphere in this stadium is incredible at the moment, fans are cheering The Elephants' every move.

Seko Fofana made sure the hosts started how they mean to go on! ⚽️🇨🇮#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 | #CIVGNB pic.twitter.com/BKKaYdsrhj
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 13, 2024

A very well-taken right-footed shot from the edge of the box by the Al-Nassr midfielder to score the first goal of AFCON 2023. Keep that stat in mind, it might come in handy for a bit of trivia in a few years.

5' GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!! SEKO FOFANA FOR IVORY COAST!!! The hosts take an early lead.

Ivory Coast begin with high intensity, buoyed by their home support in a packed stadium, the who-is-who of African football are al here watching on from the stands.

KICK OFF!!! Can Ivory Coast live up to their billing as favourites or is there an upset on the cards for Guinea-Bissau? AFCON 2023 is underway!!!

The teams file out here at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan with the hosts Ivory Coast in their traditional orange while Guinea-Bissau are draped in green.

📋 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐗𝐈 📋

Here's how both teams will start the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 opening game! 👇 #CIVGNB pic.twitter.com/STJri1egfN
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 13, 2024

The lineups are out and the major talking points from Ivory Coast's perspective are the omissions, Sebastien Haller and Nicolas Pepe start this one on the bench.

But we must now turn our full attention to the main reason we are here... FOOOOOOOOTBALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Opening ceremony of AFCON 2023 in Cote d'ivoire. 🇨🇮

Mama Africa @yemialade

Powered by @OptimusBank #PoojaXAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/cpbQdgzOIP
— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) January 13, 2024

Feel the African excitement.

The opening ceremony. #AFCONwithOgaNlaMedia pic.twitter.com/peERowhnu0
— Adepoju Tobi Samuel 🇳🇬 (@OgaNlaMedia) January 13, 2024

WOW!!

What a colourful opening ceremony in Abidjan 💕..

AFRICA STAND UP - Bravo 🎉 Ivory Coast. And oh, Yemi Alade 🫠🫠🫠🫠 - Omo l’omo yen.#AFCONwithOJB #taptapsendngafcon #CAN2023 #SoarSuperEagles #AFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/NFvmXhOq5x
— Ojora Babatunde (@ojbsports) January 13, 2024