2023 AFCON: Fofana, Krasso Strike as Ivory Coast Breeze Pass Guinea-Bissau! [VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS]

Tournament hosts Ivory Coast got off to a winning start with an emphatic 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau in 2023 AFCON, LCSoccerHub Reports.

The hosts went into the game as the favorite to bag all three points, having won seven of their last 10 opening AFCON fixtures. With the backing of a roaring home crowd at the Alassane Qatarra Stadium, taking the Djurtus to the cleaners wasn’t expected to be an uphill task.

Meanwhile, Guinea-Bissau were not pushovers heading into the match. The Djurtus stunned the Super Eagles of Nigeria away from home in a famous victory in the qualifiers, hence they were tipped to make it a tough run for the Elephants.

Ivory Coast started on a bang as expected, mounting heavy pressure on the Djurtus as the game kicked off. The hosts dominated the game with perfect composure, wielding possessions, launching attacks, and completing numerous passes.

Jittering under the Elephants’ countless offensives, Guinea-Bissau finally lost composure at the back and were punished quickly for the slack as Seko Fofana put the Elephants ahead just four minutes into the game.

Trailing by a lone goal, the Djurtus made little effort to mount a formidable response and possibly pull a comeback. Ivory Coast still came out clutch over proceedings and were closing in on a second goal with numerous unconverted chances.

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A nervy first half ended with the hosts taking the narrow 1-0 lead into the break. In the second half, the Elephants still dominated proceedings but Guinea-Bissau pulled a more impressive performance with promising offensives but were vulnerable when charging forward.

In the 63rd minute, they were dealt a final blow as German-born striker Jean-Philipe Krasso doubled the lead for the hosts swiveling the ball in the far corner.

It was literally a game-over for Guinea-Bissau as they made little attempt to mount a response. Both sides lacked clear-cut chances after Krasso’s strike as the game neared the final minutes with Ivory Coast still in control.

At the blast of the final, Ivory secured the 2-0 victory to open their AFCON campaign on a winning note.

Video Highlights 

https://youtu.be/9c1Ux8KrpKA?si=LwxF68mOLrQuJBz0