Ivory Coast vs Guinea-Bissau live score, result, updates, highlights & lineups from Africa Cup of Nations 2023

By | January 13, 2024
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The Africa Cup of Nations kicks off with the host nation, Ivory Coast, facing off against Guinea-Bissau in Abidjan on Saturday, January 13.

Ivory Coast will be led by Jean-Louis Gasset, both France and Paris Saint-Germain’s former assistant manager, who has been tasked with leading the Elephants to their third AFCON title in 2024.

The host side come into this match as the heavy favourites and will be looking to get their tournament off in style as they face the Djurtus, who will be eager to make a strong start to their campaign as they bid to go beyond the group stage at the AFCON for the first time.

With three of their household names — Wilfried Zaha, Eric Bailly and Nicolas Pepe — all absent, the onus is on Ivory Coast’s top talents to prove themselves heroes and help guide the hosts towards the knockout phase.

The Sporting News is following the match live and providing score updates, commentary.

MORE: Why is AFCON played in January?

Ivory Coast vs Guinea-Bissau live score

  First half Goalscorers
Ivory Coast 1 Fofana 4′
Guinea-Bissau 0 —

Ivory Coast vs Guinea-Bissau live updates, highlights from AFCON opening game

46th minute: The second half is underway! Serge Aurier comes on for Wilfried Singo. 

HT: That’s it for the first half, Ivory Coast may only be one goal ahead at the break but they’ve been dominant in the opening 45. 

45th minute: Sangare also receives a yellow for a high elbow, that was rather reckless from the Ivorian.

44th minute: Cassama goes into the book for a late challenge on Krasso.

41st minute: Penalty appeal. Krasso goes down in the box but the referee waves play on! It’s a fantastic ball from Boga and the striker easily goes down. 

35th minute: CLOSE! Fofana almost doubles his goal tally as he strikes it off the bar. It was a really good hit from outside the box. 

32nd minute: After a relatively fast start to the game, Ivory Coast are just enjoying possession of the ball and Guinea-Bissau are trying to play long ball. 

29th minute: Balde breaks on the counter as Rodrigues picks the pocket of N’Dicka but his effort is weak and right at Fofana.

25th minute: Ivory Coast players enjoyed that opening goal!

22nd minute: A clash of heads between Bamba and Cassama sees the game come to a halt as both players seek treatment.

16th minute: Fofana plays a brilliant ball in behind for Krasso to try and volley, which he does, but it sails over the bar. 

10th minute: The Elephants have been on top in these opening stages and Wilfried Singo sends a header over the bar from a corner kick. 

7th minute: Balde attempts the extraordinary as he tries to overhead kick the ball but just misses. It was a good chance for the Djurtus. 

4th minute: GOAL! 1-0 WOW! What a start to the tournament for the hosts. It’s Seko Fofana who rockets a strike past Djoco. Guinea-Bissau gave him far too much space to get his shot away and the Al Nassr midfielder blasts it home. 

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1st minute: After a slight delay due to the speeches and national anthems, the football is underway!

5 mins until kickoff: Patrice Motsepe, the president of the Confederation of African Football has been talking to the 60,000 fans in attendance and said: “This is going to be the best AFCON in the history of AFCON.”

15 mins until kickoff: We’re nearly ready for the first game of AFCON 2023, kickoff is next!

30 mins until kickoff: Team news is in!

1 hour until kickoff: It’s the first of 52 games and Guinea-Bissau are in the mood.

1 hour 30 mins until kickoff: Guinea-Bissau have never won a game at the Africa Cup of Nations, is tonight the night? 

2 hours until kickoff: Nothing but high spirits ahead of the opening match. The Elephants are ready. 

Ivory Coast vs Guinea-Bissau lineups

With Ivory Coast without their household names, Wilfried Zaha, Eric Bailly and Nicolas Pepe, they will still be expected to perform at their home tournament. 

And a midfield three of Franck Kessie, Seko Fofana, and Ibrahim Sangare could help them in their bid to win their third African title. 

Ivory Coast starting lineup (4-3-3, left to right): Y.Fofana (GK) — Singo, Diomamde, Ndicka, Konan — Kessie, Sangaré, S.Fofana — Bogo, Bamab, Krasso.

Ivory Coast subs (12): Seri, Kossounou, Konate, Boly, Diakite, Gradel, Aurier, Pepe, Kouame, B. Sangare, Doumbia, Diallo

The Djurtus will want to tighten up defensively as they were beaten 6-2 in a friendly against Mali last week and therefore they could go to a three at the back and compact the midfield. No matter which 11 players they select to start, they’re serious underdogs in this one.

Guinea-Bissau projected starting lineup (3-5-2, left to right): Djoco (GK) — Cande, Djalo, Sangante — Encana, Semedo, Bikel, Cassama, Mane — Balde, Rodriguez.

Guinea-Bissau subs (12): J. Mendes, Dju, Nito, Dalcio, Gano, Marciano, Mendes Gomes, Mane, Nanu, Ze Turbo, Ie, H. Mendes.

How to watch Ivory Coast vs Guinea-Bissau: Live stream, TV channel

Here’s how to watch AFCON 2024 matches across selected areas of the world’s major regions:

Region TV Streaming
USA beIN Sports Fubo, beIN Sports Connect, Fanatiz
Canada beIN Sports Canada

Fubo Canada, beIN Sports Connect, Fanatiz
UK Sky Sports, BBC Sport Sky GO, Now TV, BBC iPlayer
Australia beIN Sports beIN Sports
India — FanCode

USA: The tournament will be available on beIN Sports with streaming options on Fubo.

Canada: BeIN Sports will provide broadcast coverage with Fubo Canada on streaming duty.

UK: Selected matches will be available on Sky Sports services with streaming available via Sky GO and Now TV. BBC Sport will also be covering designated games at the tournament.

Australia: BeIN Sports will provide broadcast coverage and streaming services for the tournament.

India: Streaming service FanCode is the place to go for AFCON 2024 matches.

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