´óÏó´«Ã½

Guinea-Bissau try to break and advance beyond the halfway line.

Franck Kessie is warned for a clumsy foul on Alfa Semedo.

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

Guinea-Bissau need to regain their composure.

There's some desperate defending going on.

There's a roar of anticipation as Seko Fofana's inspired flick starts a move down the left which allows Jeremie Boga to chip a cross in front of goal.

Ouparine Djoco leaps to punch the ball away as Guinea-Bissau struggle to clear their lines.

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

Fair to say that the crowd were wilting in the heat somewhat before Jean-Philippe Krasso’s close control and finish under pressure brought them back to life.

Once the cheering died down we had an impromptu light show, with mobile phone torch lights twinkling into life.

Krasso’s reward for his goal? Immediately being substituted for 19-year-old Karim Konate.

The RB Salzburg forward made his international debut when he was 16 and is tipped as the next big thing in Ivorian football.

Ivory Coast appear to want more goals.

Nicolas Pepe - once of Arsenal - enters the fray alongside 19-year-old Salzburg attacker Karim Konate.

Jonathan Bamba and Jean-Philippe Krasso make way, the former having set up the latter's marvellous strike.

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

Jean-Philippe Krasso took a touch to control it, then another one - then he swivelled.

He's left-footed it into the corner, giving the goalkeeper absolutely no chance again.

It's a great touch and a brilliant finish.

Speaking of crosses, Ivory Coast have a corner.

A foul is spotted as the delivery goes in.

Image source, Getty Images

Didier Drogba - a two-time Afcon finalist as a striker for Ivory Coast - watches on.

The former Chelsea forward might have enjoyed being on the end of some of the deliveries the hosts have sent into the penalty area tonight.

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

As soon as the players left the pitch at the end of the first half, the ground staff were on to replace them.

It was noticeable on several occasions in the opening 45 minutes that the dry-looking surface cut up – a surface that was not so dry a few months ago when the newly-built stadium suffered flooding during an extended rainy season.

Poor pitches often blight Afcon and the issue was a hot topic during the group stage two years ago in Cameroon.

One to watch.

This has been a decent start to the second half for Guinea-Bissau, who've seen much more of possession than they did during the first period and had sights of goal twice.

Opa Sangante angles a near-post header comfortably over the crossbar from Carlos Mane's corner for them.

Another Nottingham Forest link: Alfa Semedo, who had a loan spell at the City Ground in 2019-20 and now plays for Saudi Arabian side Al-Tai, knocks the ball out of play after Guinea-Bissau string passes around at the back.

There's a new face involved as the action resumes.

Nottingham Forest's Serge Aurier has replaced Wilfried Singo at right-back for Ivory Coast.

Aurier has taken the captain's armband off Franck Kessie as well.

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

I'm not expecting a comeback but anything can happen at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The fact that Guinea-Bissau are only a goal down after so much pressure will give them some sort of hope.

They've carved out one or two opportunities of their own.

Afcon 2023 has only just kicked off, and yet the dates of the next edition are still up in the air.

This tournament is taking place of the middle of the European campaign to avoid the rainy season in West Africa, creating a club versus country dilemma for players.

The 2025 finals in Morocco were due to revert to dates in June and July, but that would mean a potential clash with the expanded Fifa Club World Cup.

Image source, Getty Images

Ivory Coast are unbeaten in their past 12 opening Afcon matches, winning seven of them.

The last time they lost their first match of the tournament was in 1996, when they were beaten 2-0 by Ghana.

This is also their 100th Afcon match - they're the third team to reach that total, after Egypt and Ghana.

Image source, Getty Images

Everybody loves a classic shirt design, and Afcon has had some sensational ones over the years.

´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport spoke to the experts at Cult Kits to choose some of the best from past tournaments. Which would you add to your wardrobe?

Image source, Getty Images

The hosts have the lead at the break in the Afcon 2023 opener, Seko Fofana firing the Elephants in front with a powerful strike in the fourth minute.

Fofana also hit the crossbar with a precise effort from one of Ivory Coast's numerous dangerous forays down the flanks, but Guinea-Bissau have given their opponents the occasional moment of concern.

Jefferson Encada has to defend alertly again, conceding a corner.

Ivory Coast have one last chance to threaten before the break. The ball ends up back with goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.

Ibrahim Sangare catches Mama Balde with an arm during an aerial challenge.

Sangare takes to the turf, holding his head. That won't spare him the latest booking of the game, which he receives once he returns to his feet.