Host nation Ivory Coast got it up and running just four minutes in to the game through Seko Mohamed Fofana’s strike to put Ivory Coast 1-0 up in the opening game of the 2023 African Cup of Nations tournament.
Guinea-Bissau’s Jefferson Encada’s terrible pass just outside the Guinea-Bissau box enough for Fofana to pounced on to smashed in a nice goal despite being surrounded by visiting defenders.
From the fifteenth minutes, it became a cagey encounter fighting for every ball.
The visitors broke-through just before the half-hour mark for their first big chance of the game through a counter attack but Mama Balde failed to beat the Ivorian goalkeeper. A scary moment for the host nation.
Ivory Coast responded swiftly with another excellent Fofana’s shot effort only goalkeeper Ouparine Djoco to tip it onto the bar. The Ivorians created great more goal scoring opportunities moments later but could not double the lead. Notable was Jean-Philippe Krasso’s effort from close range was blocked.
Guinea-Bissau maintained some hope of staying in the game, but it all came to an end just before the hour mark when Opa Sangante’s defending error gifted Krasso the chance to double the lead, which he made no mistake.
Terrible defensive work from Guinea-Bissau players played key roles in both goals.
Ivory Coast will hope to make it two wins in a row when they come face-to-face against formidable Nigeria side in their next game on January 18. On the same day, Guinea-Bissau will hope to recover when they meet Equatorial Guinea.