AFCON 2023
Match 1 – Ivory Coast v Guinea-Bissau
Saturday 13 January 2024 | 22:00

Within the curtain raiser for the thirty fourth version of the Africa Cup of Nations, host nation Ivory Coast sq. off in opposition to Guinea-Bissau on the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe on 13 of January. The match guarantees to set the tone for what will likely be an thrilling event as Africa’s finest go to-to-toe for continental glory!

To Win Match
Ivory Coast 2/9 | Draw 39/10 | Guinea Bissau 13/1

The Elephants of Ivory Coast have a wealthy historical past at AFCON and are making their twenty fifth look on the event, happening to assert the distinguished title twice. Nonetheless, current outings have seen them fall in need of the glory days, couple that with residence benefit, and there’s added stress on this star-studded squad to reclaim their spot as Africa’s finest.

Throughout the qualifying phases of the event, the host nation scored seven of their 9 objectives on residence soil, indicative that it may very well be extra of the identical right here. Ibrahim Sangare was immediately concerned in 4 of these 9 workforce objectives, scoring three and aiding one.

With that being mentioned, the hosts may look to the skilled Serge Aurier and the dynamic Nicolas Pepe who will trigger injury on the wing.

Borussia Dortmund hitman, Sebastien Haller, was on track as Ivory Coast smashed the Seychelles 11-0 throughout their current FIFA World Cup qualifier. That dominant efficiency will certainly set the tone early through the group stage conflict as they flip their consideration to Guinea-Bissau.

It goes with out saying, however Guinea-Bissau come into this conflict because the underdogs. The Djurtus made it to this 12 months’s event in a powerful second place within the qualifying group that additionally contained fellow Group A outfit Nigeria together with Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe.

A key participant that they’ll depend on is 19-year-old Franculino Dju who’s lighting up the Danish Tremendous Liga with 14 objectives and two assists for table-topping Midtjylland this season. {The teenager} did discover the again through the AFCON qualifiers, doing so in his solely look. He could have his work lower out for him on this one as he seems to get his nation off on the best foot.

Verdict: Half Time Ivory Coast 7/10

With Ivory Coast churning out sturdy outcomes on residence soil, they might simply go all the best way at this version of AFCON. They must battle it out in opposition to among the continent’s best, however with a star-studded squad, they need to get their marketing campaign off to a flyer on this one. Not an excessive amount of worth in backing the hosts on the total time market. As an alternative, take them to be main on the half time break.