´óÏó´«Ã½

Image source, Getty Images

Enjoy opening night?

Ivory Coast and their fans certainly did. But will they be back at the Alassane Outtara Stadium for the final on 11 February?

The Afcon 2023 action continues tomorrow, starting with Nigeria vs Equitorial Guinea at 14:00 GMT.

Thanks for your company this evening.

Image source, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport

As well as ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport's coverage of every game at Afcon 2023, the next match to be shown live on the ´óÏó´«Ã½ will be the group-stage fixture between four-time champions Ghana and record seven-time winners Egypt.

You can catch that encounter, which is likely to feature the likes of Mohamed Salah and Mohammed Kudus worrying defenders, live on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three and iPlayer on Thursday from 19:50 GMT.

It wasn't quite as goal-laden as their 5-1 friendly win over Sierra Leone last Saturday, but Ivory Coast have now scored at least twice in each of their past four matches, hitting the net 18 times across those games.

The test will be whether they can continue that form against sterner defences as Afcon continues.

Guinea-Bissau have failed to score in their past eight matches at the Africa Cup of Nations, extending their own record for any team in the history of the competition.

It’s been more than 13 hours since they last found the net (797 minutes), Piqueti scoring against Cameroon on 18 January 2017.

Only Benin (14) and Mozambique (12) have played more matches than Guinea-Bissau (10) at the tournament without winning one.

Gabriel Zakuani
Former DR Congo international on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three

Better teams will come out and attack Ivory Coast.

Guinea-Bissau and teams of similar size to them will sit back.

Teams like Morocco will leave gaps and then we'll see the quality flourish. Those will be completely different games.

Ian Williams
´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport Africa at Alassane Ouattara Stadium

Most of the players dropped to the turf as the final whistle was blown. That match clearly took it out of them, probably due to the high humidity.

A penny for the thoughts of the Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea players who have to kick-off in this stadium tomorrow at 14:00 GMT, when it is likely to be much warmer.

The dominant Seko Fofana is rightly announced as player of the match.

It was his early scorcher that got the tournament off and running.

Are the hosts champion material? Tough to tell from an opening performance in which they were rarely tested.

Steven Wyeth
´óÏó´«Ã½ commentator

Ivory Coast didn't do it with the flamboyance or flourish that many would have expected when they took an early lead.

Instead, the most colourful aspects have been saved for the stands.

It's very much job done for them.

Image source, Getty Images

The hosts start with three points!

Terrific finishes in either half - first from Seko Fofana, then Jean-Philippe Krasso - give them a reasonably comfortable victory over a game but toiling Guinea-Bissau.

On a night when winning was all-important, Ivory Coast have delivered.

Seko Fofana feeds Nicolas Pepe just inside the penalty area, who shifts the ball to his left to fashion space and thunders a shot high and wide.

There will be four additional minutes.

Ivory Coast bring on Idrissa Doumbia for Ibrahim Sangare. The hosts are almost off to a serene start.

Substitute Nicolas Pepe is ruled offside for Ivory Coast.

Pepe is coming back from injury and his side will be satisfied to have given him more minutes tonight.

Ze Turbo makes a hash of a useful opportunity when the ball drops to the substitute on the edge of the penalty area, dragging a tame shot wide.

Guinea-Bissau have shown signs of promise but lacked ruthlessness.

Two substitutions to mention: Willy Boly has supplanted Ousmane Diomande in defence for Ivory Coast, furthering what may already have been a keen interest for Nottingham Forest fans in this match.

Ze Turbo is also on for Guinea-Bissau, replacing Mauro Rodrigues.

Ian Williams
´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport Africa at Alassane Ouattara Stadium

It feels like both sets of players are struggling with the conditions late on.

The pace of the game is not exactly electric, despite both coaches making a slew of substitutions.

Guinea-Bissau have huffed and puffed, but also blown gilt-edged one-on-one chances in each half.

The official attendance of 36,858 appears on the big screens to a smattering of applause.

It is well down on the 60,000 capacity.

Image source, Getty Images

Guinea-Bissau win a corner but Ivory Coast break at speed, Franck Kessie seeing his attempt diverted behind by Ouparine Djoco.

The former Milan and Barcelona midfielder claps his palms together, knowing that was a chance for a third.

Franculino almost scores for Guinea-Bissau, collecting Mama Balde's pass inside the penalty area and firing a diagonal left-footed effort across goal.

Yahia Fofana hasn't had much to do tonight but he responds brilliantly, beating the shot away at full stretch.

Those attacking substitutions for Guinea Bissau suggest they won't give up on a point or three tonight.

How they'd love to pull one back and try to force a nervy finish for the hosts.

Steven Wyeth
´óÏó´«Ã½ commentator

I first saw Carlos Mendes play for my local ninth-tier side, West Didsbury & Chorlton.

That's where he got his first opportunity in English football. Quite the journey.

He once missed a game because he was stuck in a lift.

The flow of chances has slowed a little, although both goalkeepers have been required to advance from their line and claim a through ball since those substitutions were made.

Guinea-Bissau bring on Bolton Wanderers' Carlos Mendes and 19-year-old Midtjylland prospect Franculino.

Moreto Cassama and Carlos Mane make way.