By Michael Madyira
Hosts Ivory Coast set the tone for what could be an exciting Africa Cup of Nations tournament with a 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara on Saturday.
It took just four minutes for the crowd inside the stadium to erupt when Seko Fofana thrust the home side ahead with a beautiful shot.
Jean-Philippe Krasso then doubled Ivory Coast’s lead on 58 minutes with a fine strike to the cheers of a delirious crowd.
It was an exciting start to Africa’s biggest football jamboree as the Elephants fired warning shots at other Group A contestants Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea.
Ivory Coast coach Jean-Louis Gasset started with captain Serge Aurier on the bench, leaving Franck Kessie with the armband while forward Sebastien Haller was ruled out with an injury.
Guinea Bissau had a chance to hit back after Fofana’s goal when Mama Balde broke loose on 29 minutes to face Ivorian goalkeeper Yahia Fofana but his shot was weak while under the challenge of Ousmane Diomande.
Fofana was unlucky to watch the woodwork denying him after being at the end of a beautiful feed from Kessie in the 34th minute.
The hosts stayed in control in the second period as Krasso made it 2-0 when he profited from a poor clearance from Opa Sangante to acrobatically fire home a wondergoal.
With 17 minutes remaining, the Ivorians almost became too comfortable when Guinea-Bissau substitute Franculino Dju intercepted the hosts’ build-up.
His charge ended when his left-footed shot drew an excellent save from Yahia Fofana.
Pictured above: Ivory Coast players join Seko Fofana in celebrating their opening goal against Guinea-Bissau
Image source: CAF
