Ivory Coast: The Host with the Most

Written by: Kamogelo Mogale

Ivory Coast opened their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 2-0 victory over fellow West African side Guineas-Bissau at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe in Abidjan on Saturday evening.

Seko Mohamed Fofana opening the scoring charts in the 4th minute of the game with Jean-Philippe Krasso scoring the match winner in the 58th minute of the game, giving The Elephants an opportunity to temporarily top group A standings in the opening round of the tournament with Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea due to play.

The victory for Ivory Coast means more to the team, supporters and the country as a whole as West African nation was in the grips of a civil war which ended in 2011. It’s a chance to show the world that Ivory Coast is back to reclaim its position as one of the giants in Africa.

The newly built Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe has now created lasting memories for the Ivorians as the opening ceremony took place in the stadium, making way for that important opening round victory against Guineas-Bissau.

Ivory Coast last hosted the AFCON back in 1984 with just eight teams across two cities.

Four decades later, Ivory Coast has geared itself for the continent’s biggest football showpiece filled with a sense of excitement and optimism as the 24 nations have landed in the country with the six group stage venues being Abidjan, Korhogo, Yamoussoukro, San Pedro, Garoua and Bouaké.

The 2023 AFCON will be a chance for Ivory Coast to celebrate it’s national pride, show progress since the dark days of the civil war and the competitiveness of African Football.

24 coaches, 24 nations dreaming behind the them, one cup at stake.

Which coach will find the winning formula to lead his team to the finish line? All will be answered on the 11th of February 2024.

Ivory Coast will play Nigeria in the second round in a sold match at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe on Thursday the 18th of January. Supporters of both nations will flock the stadium in a quest to see the likes of Seko Mohamed Fofana, Franck Kessie, Sebastien Haller, Samuel Chikwueze, Admed Musa and reigning CAF Player of the year Victor Osimhen lead their nations to the knockout stages respectively.

Kickoff for this much anticipated match is at 19:00