Ivory Coast v Guinea Bissau
Time: 8 pm, Saturday
Venue: Stade Olympique Alessane Ouattara
The Elephants of La Cote d’Ivoire will open the 2023 AFCON with an important match against the Djurtus of Guinea Bissau in Abidjan at the Stade Olympique Alessane Ouattara.
Twice the winners of the AFCON (1992, 2015), Ivory Coast will want to commence their campaign on a higher note to gather momentum ahead of the competition.
The host nation, Ivory Coast, won 5-1 against Sierra Leone in the preparation game as 5 different players were on target. Scoring hasn’t been a problem for Ivory Coast as they have thrashed Seychelles 9-0, Gambia 2-0 and Sierra Leone 5-1 in the last three games. The Elephant’s midfield will be difficult to break as they have energetic and workaholic midfielders in Fofana, Sangare and Kessie. Sebastien Haller and Simon Adingra remain doubtful for the opener.
Baciro Cande who has been in charge of Guinea Bissau in all their previous three AFCONS would love to cause an upset against the host. Olympique Lyon forward Mama Balde is a player that the Ivorian defence must keep an eye on because he can hurt you at any time.
Guinea Bissau has a difficult job as beating the host in the first game of every competition is a difficult assignment. Djurtus’ performance ahead of the AFCON is not encouraging as they were thrashed by Mali 6-2 in a preparation game for the competition
This will be the first time both teams are meeting at the AFCON as their only meeting came in 2001 at the WAFU Nations Cup.
