Cote d’Ivoire v Guinea Bissau
Kick-off: 10:00 PM
Venue: Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe
Host nation Cote d’Ivoire will be on high alert for a potential giant-killing when they face Guinea-Bissau in Saturday’s TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2023 curtain-raiser.
The Elephants are heavy favourites for the Group A clash against a Djurtus side never to have won an Afcon game in three previous tournaments.
But coach Jean-Louis Gasset is wary of complacency against opponents with nothing to lose in front of 60,000 fans in Abidjan.
“We cannot underestimate Guinea-Bissau,” said Gasset. “In these type of opening games, there is always a risk the underdog is fired up to cause an upset.”
Cote d’Ivoire are hoping to emulate the class of 1984 by launching their campaign with a big win as hosts.
That victorious side 39 years ago thrashed Togo 3-0 in Abidjan in the tournament’s very first match.
But Bissau will take inspiration from holding Gabon to a 1-1 draw in the 2017 opener and are targeting a famous first Afcon victory.
“We know we can create a sensation against the hosts,” insisted Bissau coach Baciro Cande.
The Elephants can call on an array of Europe-based stars like Sebastian Haller, Eric Bailly and Franck Kessie as they eye glory on home soil.
With a squad packed with quality, the Elephants are justified favourites if they can handle the weight of expectation in front of a packed stadium.
But opening games can prove unpredictable and cagey – so Cote d’Ivoire must avoid falling into a Bissau trap that could derail their TotalEnergies CAF campaign.
