´óÏó´«Ã½

Moreto Cassama bodychecks Wilfried Singo just as his target is about to burst past him down a flank. He's punished with a booking.

It briefly looks like a penalty might have been awarded as Jean-Philippe Krasso sends a low finish trickling wide from an inviting Jonathan Bamba cross, going down in the process under a challenge from Marcelo Djalo.

Krasso's face suggests he knew he was already stumbling as he went to ground, and no spot-kick is awarded. It would have been harsh on Guinea-Bissau.

Image source, Getty Images

Will Jean-Louis Gasset be satisfied with what he's seen from his Ivory Coast side so far?

Alfa Semedo and Evan Ndicka receive treatment following a clash of heads as the hosts sent in an inswinging corner.

That Seko Fofana shot which smacked the woodwork summed up Ivory Coast's enlivened display since Mama Balde had a decent half-chance for Guinea-Bissau.

Marcelo Djalo makes a crucial intervention to stop Jean-Philippe Krasso from scoring - at the expense of a corner.

Seko Fofana rattles the crossbar with a well-placed shot from the edge of the penalty area!

But for a fingertip from goalkeeper Ouparine Djoco, that would have billowed the top of the Guinea-Bissau net. It was set up by more good work on the right from Franck Kessie for Ivory Coast.

Alfa Semedo takes aim from distance for Guinea-Bissau, skewing a powerful shot well wide.

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

The game has settled down after its lightning quick start, with the hosts largely in control.

One thing that refuses to settle down is the sizeable group of supporters sitting in the bottom ten rows of the stand opposite me.

Dressed in the Ivorian colours and rocking continuously from side to side, clapping their hands and honking their horns, they will be on their feet until the final whistle – Afcon’s version of a fan endurance event.

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

You see Ndicka lunging and he's out of control.

The referee probably made the right call by giving a yellow but it's a borderline red card. I've seen them given.

Evan Ndicka is rightly booked for a lunging challenge on Mauro Teixeira.

Guinea-Bissau ask whether he should have been punished further.

Guinea-Bissau pass up perhaps their best opening so far, Mama Balde finding space to enter into on his way towards the penalty area.

With other options available, the forward appears to set his sights on sending in a strike.

Ousmane Diomande ends the danger with a well-timed challenge.

Wilfried Singo finishes a neat passage of play by nudging the ball straight behind when well-placed on the edge of the penalty area.

Ivory Coast look neat in possession but won't be overjoyed by how often their final pass or touch has fallen short of their capabilities.

Mama Balde raises a thumb after Guinea-Bissau try to locate him inside the box with another arrowed through-ball.

Yahia Fofana advanced smartly to claim.

Ivory Coast see a free-kick in a useful position on the right cleared, and there's a nasty clash of heads between Guinea-Bissau's Moreto Cassama and counterpart Jonathan Bamba, both of whom had their eyes on the ball.

The pair seem OK, thankfully.

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

Guinea-Bissau are getting hold of the ball and gaining more confidence.

They're growing into the game, giving everyone a feel of the ball and progressing through the thirds, which is something we didn't see early in the game.

Electric run from Jeremie Boga, darting between two markers deep in Guinea-Bissau territory on the right.

His cut-back cross lacks accuracy and Guinea-Bissau win a goal-kick.

Meanwhile, here's how Ivory Coast looked when they celebrated the first goal of this tournament.

Image source, Getty Images

Flickers of encouragement for Guinea-Bissau

Alfa Semedo tries to thread a pass through to Mama Balde inside the penalty area.

It would be a stretch to say they've threatened properly yet, though.

Carlos Mane has a chance to cause trouble for Ivory Coast, the Guinea-Bissau wideman whipping a low cross towards the penalty spot from the right.

Ivory Coast have several defenders waiting for the delivery and deal with it.

Ivory Coast are continuing to create danger and press Guinea-Bissau whenever they can.

Ghislain Konan tries to bustle down the left inside the opposition half. Jefferson Encada deals with the danger.

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

What. A. Start.

Seko Fofana already stands out as an absolute man-mountain in central midfield. Now he’s made himself a national hero with a scorching right-footed drive that matched the temperature in the stadium.

Cue ignition of an orange flare behind the goal.

Afcon is alight.

Wilfried Singo guides a header over the target from inside the penalty area after Ivory Coast win a corner.

This has been an excellent start for them.