Ivory Coast’s Seko Fofana and Jean-Philippe Krasso scored in every half because the hosts accomplished a 2-0 Group A victory over Guinea Bissau within the Africa Cup of Nations opening recreation performed in energy-sapping humidity on Saturday.
Fofana gave his aspect a fourth minute lead with an outstanding shot from the sting of the field earlier than Krasso made up for an earlier miss when he acrobatically netted a second simply earlier than the hour.
The Ivorians have been at all times favourites towards a Guinea Bissau staff who’ve no longer gained any of their 10 Cup of Nations finals matches however the hosts, with a number of gamers lacking by means of harm, will likely be happy to have began their marketing campaign on a optimistic word in entrance of an expectant 60,000 crowd.
Twice winners Ivory Coast subsequent play on Thursday once they face Nigeria within the greatest match-up within the group, whereas Guinea-Bissau tackle Equatorial Guinea on the identical day. The video games will once more be performed at Abidjan’s Alassane Ouattara Stadium.
It was a removed from good efficiency from the hosts and Guinea Bissau have been left to rue a number of missed alternatives, however Ivory Coast coach Jean-Louis Gasset will know the three factors are all that issues at this early stage of the event.
The Frenchman’s aspect received a dream begin when Fofana curled his shot into the highest nook from 20 metres, settling the nerves of the house gamers and their supporters.
However after the Ivorians’ quick begin, Guinea Bissau settled into the competition and created a couple of possibilities themselves.
Ahead Mama Balde went for a spectacular bicycle kick when he might need opted for a header earlier than he had a great opportunity to equalise with a transparent run on aim however his shot was weak and simply saved by Yahia Fofana.
Seko Fofana got here near a second aim when his highly effective drive from the sting of the field was tipped onto the crossbar by Guinea-Bissau’s Ouparine Djoco, who was a shock choice over common goalkeeper Jonas Mendes.
The hosts created one other very good opening earlier than the break when Jonathan Bamba fed Krasso within the field just for the striker to show the ball vast.
Guinea-Bissau began the second half on the entrance foot however too typically their remaining go was poor they usually wasted promising positions.
The house aspect doubled their benefit after 58 minutes when Krasso profited from some hesitant defending and took two touches earlier than acrobatically rifling the ball into the online.
Guinea-Bissau had half-chances after that however have now stretched their run of video games and not using a aim on the Cup of Nations finals to eight.
