Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr Teammate Seko Fofana Scores the First Goal of AFCON 2023, Video

• Ivory Coast have hit the ground running in the first match of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
• The host nation faced Guinea-Bissau in the first game of the competition in Abidjan
• Cristiano Ronaldo's teammate at Al-Nassr scored the first goal of the competition

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has kicked off in Abidjan, with the Elephants of Ivory Coast scoring the competition's first goal.

The tournament's first game was between the host nation, Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau, at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe on Saturday evening.

The Elephants led 1-0 in the first 45 minutes of play after a beautiful goal from their midfielder.

In a video shared on social media, Cristiano Ronaldo's teammate at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, Seko Fofana, scored the first goal of the AFCON 2023 after just four minutes of play.

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The former RC Lens midfielder pounced on a pass from Al Ahli star Franck Kessie to curl a beautiful strike past Guinea-Bissau goalkeeper Ouparine Djoco in the opening four minutes of the tie.

The Al-Nassr midfielder was close to scoring his second goal for the night, but his curling effort was saved by Djoco's finger in the 35th minute.

The Elephants put the game to bed with Jean-Philippe Krasso finding the back of the net in the 58th minute, according to a report by Soccerway.

Ivory Coast's next game would be against three-time African champions Nigeria on Thursday, January 16.

A win for the Elephants against the Super Eagles would seal a place for them in the round of 16.

AFCON 2023 opening ceremony

Sports Brief earlier reported that Nigerian singer Yemi Alade was the main act alongside the Ivorian group Magic System, singing the tournament's theme song, Akwaba.

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Chelsea legend Didier Drogba also arrived just in time to watch the magnificent opening ceremony of AFCON 2023, with Ivory Coast delivering a resplendent display of African culture and musical arts.

There were also displays of masquerades and a rich showcase of Ivorian culture through their colours and fireworks.