ABIDJAN – Host nation Côte d’Ivoire will be on high alert for a potential giant-killing when they face Guinea-Bissau in Saturday’s 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 at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium 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.”
Côte d’Ivoire is 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 Côte d’Ivoire must avoid falling into a Bissau trap that could derail their CAF campaign.
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