Ivory Coast becomes third nation to play 100 AFCON games

Ivory Coast cruised to a 2-0 win over Guinea Bissau

In the course of the history of the Africa Cup of Nations, Ivory Coast are now just the third nation to have participated in 100 games.

Both Egypt (107) and Ghana (102) participated more. In the opening Africa Cup of Nations match played in exhausting humidity on Saturday, Ivory Coast defeated Guinea Bissau 2-0 in Group A thanks to goals from Seko Fofana and Jean-Philippe Krasso in each half.

With a beautiful strike from the outside of the penalty area in the fourth minute, Fofana gave his team the lead. Before the hour mark, Krasso compensated for a missed opportunity by netting an incredible second goal.

Even though Guinea Bissau had lost all ten of its Cup of Nations finals games, the Ivorians were never considered the favourites. However, the hosts, who were without several players due to injury, are going to be happy with how the tournament began in front of 60,000 spectators.

The most significant match in the first round is between Nigeria and the twice-champion Ivory Coast, while Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea meet on Thursday. The Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan will host the games once more.

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Although Guinea Bissau was left to lament several missed chances and the hosts’ far from flawless efficiency, Ivory Coast coach Jean-Louis Gasset will be aware that at this early in the competition, the three points are the most important thing.

The Frenchman’s team had a perfect start when Fofana calmed the players and fans at home by curling his shot towards the top corner from 20 metres out. However, Guinea Bissau levelled up after the Ivorians’ explosive start and generated a few opportunities of their own.

Following 58 minutes, the home team increased their lead when Krasso took advantage of some careless defending and skillfully sent the rebound into the net after taking two touches.

After that, Guinea-Bissau had a few more half-chances, but they are now eight games into their Cup of States final sans a goal.

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