AFCON 2023: Cote d’Ivoire Gears Up for AFCON Opener Against Guinea-Bissau

Host nation Cote d’Ivoire is on high alert as they prepare to face Guinea-Bissau in the opening match of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2023 on today Saturday at 11.00pm EAT.

Despite being heavy favorites for the Group A clash, the Elephants are wary of underestimating Guinea-Bissau, a team that has never won an Afcon game in three previous tournaments.

Coach Jean-Louis Gasset emphasized the importance of not being complacent against an opponent with nothing to lose, especially in front of 60,000 fans in Abidjan.

“We cannot underestimate Guinea-Bissau,” said Gasset. “In these opening games, there is always a risk that the underdog is fired up to cause an upset.”

Cote d’Ivoire aims to replicate the success of the 1984 team, which started their campaign with a convincing 3-0 win against Togo in Abidjan.

Guinea-Bissau, drawing inspiration from holding Gabon to a 1-1 draw in the 2017 opener, is determined to achieve their first-ever Afcon victory.

“We know we can create a sensation against the hosts,” insisted Guinea-Bissau coach Baciro Cande.

Cote d’Ivoire boasts a squad filled with Europe-based stars such as Sebastian Haller, Eric Bailly, and Franck Kessie as they seek glory on home soil. While they are justified favorites, the Elephants must navigate the challenges of managing expectations in front of a packed stadium and avoid falling into any traps that Guinea-Bissau may set in the opening game of the TotalEnergies CAF campaign.

Source: CAF