In Abidjan, at home, Côte d’Ivoire ensured its entry into the African Cup of Nations (CAN) against Guinea-Bissau (2-0). Former Lensois Seko Fofana ideally launched his team at the start of the game (4th) before Jean-Philippe Krasso doubled the lead before the hour mark.

In the wake of a grandiose and colorful opening ceremony in the Alassane-Ouattara Olympic stadium in Ebimpé, Ivory Coast perfectly launched “its” CAN. Highly anticipated in the country, Seko Fofana lit up the evening in the 4th minute with a magnificent curling shot at the edge of the area. A splendid goal for the former captain of RC Lens (1-0, 4), in his characteristic style, which allowed the Elephants to relieve the pressure of an entire people. Stunned but valiant, the Lycaons of Guinea-Bissau quickly reacted, through the Lyonnais Mama Baldé, dangerous but clumsy twice in front of Yahia Fofana (8th, 30th). Wary of opposing counterattacks, Jean-Louis Gasset’s Ivorians kept control of the game and pushed after the half hour to make the break. Seko Fofana, again, found the crossbar with an almost copy and paste of his first goal from 18 meters (35th). Starting at the forefront of the attack, compensating for Sébastien Haller’s loss, Jean-Philippe Krasso lacked technical accuracy to deceive Djoco (37th, 42nd). The last gesture is only what Ivory Coast was missing to increase its deserved lead by a goal at the break, at the end of a lively first act.

And we had to wait until the hour mark, or almost, to see Krasso pull off the move just this time. After a cross from Bamba poorly negotiated by defender Sangante, the former AS Saint-Étienne scorer offered himself a superb three-touch sequence to put Côte d’Ivoire away (2-0, 58th ). Jean-Louis Gasset’s men could then manage the end of the game as they wished. The newcomers Karim Konaté and Nicolas Pépé still attempted a few shots, imitated by Kessié in the counter-attack (76th). Opposite, Guinea-Bissau, with its evening resources, will never have given up. Mama Baldé, before going out injured, gave caviar to Franculino, disgusted by the decisive save by Yahia Fofana (74th). This opening match of the 34th edition of the CAN was ultimately a Fofana story, with the hero Seko logically receiving the man of the match trophy. In front of their white-hot audience, the Ivorian Elephants successfully entered this 34th edition of the CAN and took the lead in Group A, while waiting for Nigeria-Equatorial Guinea scheduled for this Sunday (3 p.m.). In five days, the host country will challenge the Nigerian Super Eagles in this same Olympic stadium in Abidjan, celebrating this Saturday evening.