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14/1/2024–|Last updated: 1/14/202402:10 AM (Mecca time)
The opening match of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations ended with a 2-0 win for the host country, Ivory Coast, over Guinea Bissau, putting Ivory Coast at the top of Group A, which also includes Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea.
The match was held at Alassane Ouattara Stadium, which has a capacity of 60,000 spectators, and was preceded by the opening ceremony of the tournament, which included artistic performances reflecting African and Ivorian culture.
The excitement began early in the fourth minute, with the Ivory Coast national team scoring the lead goal over Guinea-Bissau with a powerful shot by Sekou Fofana.
Sekou Fofana opens the scoring record for the Africa Cup of Nations#Africa_Cup of Nations#AFCON2023 | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/yfrksfwiAP
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) January 13, 2024
In the 28th minute, the Guinea-Bissau national team launched a dangerous attack that ended with a shot on goal by Mama Balde, which was caught by the Ivory Coast goalkeeper.
After the attack, Egyptian referee Amin Omar issued a yellow card to Ivan Ndika, the Ivory Coast player, for obstructing his opponent in a way that the referee considered reckless.
The owners of the stadium regained control in the 35th minute with a dangerous attack from the right side, which Sekou Fofana – the scorer of the first goal – ended with a powerful shot that hit the crossbar.
Egyptian referee Amin Omar refused to award a penalty kick to Ivory Coast in the 41st minute when Gian-Philippe Crasseau dropped himself without any player touching him, but the referee indicated that play would continue and warned him.
Jean-Philippe Crasseau increased Ivory Coast’s lead by scoring the second goal in the 58th minute after taking advantage of a defensive lapse in Guinea-Bissau.
Jean-Filif Craso adds the second goal for the Elephants team #Africa_Cup of Nations #Cote_Ivoire_Guinea_Bissau #AFCON2023 | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/DSEh53Gd5d
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) January 13, 2024
The 63rd minute witnessed a dangerous attack from the left side of Ivory Coast, which was saved by the Guinea-Bissau goalkeeper from the attackers eager to score the third goal.
In the 76th minute, Ivory Coast star Franck Kessie shot from the right side of the penalty area, but the Guinea-Bissau goalkeeper turned the ball into a corner kick.
After that, the match calmed down relatively and Ivory Coast succeeded in maintaining its two-goal lead until the end, to lead the first group with 3 points.
