By Satish Sekar © Satish Sekar (January 14^th 2024)

The 34^th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) began last night with Abidjan rocking to the Ivorian beat. As usual teething problems emerged, but Jean-Louis Gasset’s team delivered the desired opening with a 2-0 win over a plucky Guinea-Bissau. Seko Fofana settled the Elephants’ nerves early, opening the scoring after just 4 minutes. Jean-Phillippe Krasso doubled their lead after 58 minutes. The Elephants maintained their lead to top Group A.

It is the second time that la Côte d’Ivoire has hosted AFCON, although their memories of their inaugural AFCON in 1984 did not produce happy memories – Cameroon beat Nigeria to claim the first of their five titles. The Ivorians failed to qualify for the knockout stages. Eight years later the Elephants beat Ghana on penalties to claim their first title. They won on penalties again against the same opponents in 2015 – the year Morocco withdrew as hosts due to fear of the Ebola Virus.

The Elephants will seek to improve on their last experience of hosting. They have established themselves in pole position in Group A. Three times winners Nigeria, the nation boasting the highest number of medals in AFCON history and current African Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen, will take on Equatorial Guinea, a team that will be underestimated at the Super Eagles’ peril today.