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The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has kicked off with hosts Ivory Coast starting their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau at Alassane Ouattara Stadium.
Goals in either half from Seko Fofana (4) and Jean-Philippe Krasso (58) in Abidjan did the damage as the Elephants made a perfect start to Group A.
Fofana made history by scoring the first goal of the tournament with a superb strike from the edge of the box before Krasso hit the back of the net acrobatically just before the hour mark.
The odds were always in favour of Ivory Coast start on winning note against a Guinea-Bissau team who have never won any single game at an Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
The win, which eased the pressure of being a host nation, came much to the delight of the 60, 000 capacity crowd.
The win meant Ivory Coast who play Nigeria next on January 18, are top of Group A.
Guinea-Bissau would be looking for a better result when they lock horns with Group A opponents Equatorial Guinea at Alassane Ouattara Stadium on the same day.
Meanwhile, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations started on a colourful note at the Stade Alassane-Ouattara with a ceremony attended by Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara.
Ivorian legend Didier Drogba provided the voice-over during the official opening of the 34th edition of the tournament which was a celebration of African football.
Musicians Magic System, Yemi Alade, and Mohamed Ramadan, sang along to the official anthem of the tournament, entitled “Akwaba” to add colour to an impressive official opening.
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