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Follow the action as Ivory Coast begin their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations quest on home soil against Guinea-Bissau.
- FULLTIME. Ivory Coast 2-0 Guinea Bissau. In truth, it was a dull second half with even duller commentary to endure but the hosts won't mind. They have a win and a clean sheet.
- 73' Both teams make changes but there is not a lot to report here in Abidjan where it's still Ivory Coast 2-0 Guinea Bissau.
- The Red Star Belgrade striker controlled the ball well and fired home past the goalkeeper after a few juggles of the ball.
- 58' GOALLLLLLLLLLL!!! 2-0 IVORY COAST!!! Jean-Philippe Krasso doubles the lead for the hosts and all but secures a win on opening day.
- 46' The interval is done and the second half commences, will the Ivorians add to their lead or will Guinea Bissau find the equaliser? The next 45 minutes will tell.
- HALFTIME! Ivory Coast lead by a goal to nil going into the break and Guinea Bissau have some work to do if they hope to avoid defeat.
- 37' Seko Fofana hits the woodwork with another powerful strike which was actually pushed onto the crossbar by the goalkeeper to deny the midfielder his second of the night.
- 29' Chance for Guinea Bissau as Mama Balde swept past a couple of defenders inside the box and tried to score low in the middle of the goal, but great anticipation by Yahia Fofana allowed him to make a comfortable save.
- The earlier intensity has sort of died down halfway through the half here in Abidjan, Ivory Coast still in control.
- The atmosphere outside the stadium is just as incredible if not even louder and more rapturous. Listen for yourself and judge.
- The atmosphere in this stadium is incredible at the moment, fans are cheering The Elephants' every move.
- A very well-taken right-footed shot from the edge of the box by the Al-Nassr midfielder to score the first goal of AFCON 2023. Keep that stat in mind, it might come in handy for a bit of trivia in a few years.
- 5' GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!! SEKO FOFANA FOR IVORY COAST!!! The hosts take an early lead.
- Ivory Coast begin with high intensity, buoyed by their home support in a packed stadium, the who-is-who of African football are al here watching on from the stands.
- KICK OFF!!! Can Ivory Coast live up to their billing as favourites or is there an upset on the cards for Guinea-Bissau? AFCON 2023 is underway!!!
- The teams file out here at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan with the hosts Ivory Coast in their traditional orange while Guinea-Bissau are draped in green.
- The lineups are out and the major talking points from Ivory Coast's perspective are the omissions, Sebastien Haller and Nicolas Pepe start this one on the bench.
- But we must now turn our full attention to the main reason we are here... FOOOOOOOOTBALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Beautiful scenes from the opening ceremony featuring amazing musical performances and a vibrant display of African culture.
- The wait is finally over, today is the day the eyes of the world converge on Africa! AFCON 2023 is here and kicks off in a matter of minutes!!!
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