The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations kicked off at Abidjan’s Alassane Ouattara Stadium, with hosts Ivory Coast showcasing their strength against a team ranked outside the top 100 globally. Despite leaving out star player Wilfried Zaha, coach Jean-Louis Gasset fielded a formidable lineup, and even with Sebastien Haller sidelined, Jean-Philippe Krasso led the Ivorian attack. Guinea-Bissau, aiming for an upset, relied on Lyon forward Mama Balde.
In front of their home crowd, Ivory Coast secured a solid start, with Seko Fofana scoring early. The humidity posed challenges, but a second-half goal from Krasso eased nerves and ensured victory for Les Elephants in their opening match. The win reflected Ivory Coast’s expected dominance on home soil in the tournament.
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