Yesterday’s opening ceremony of the 2023 AFCON was colourful in Abidjan. I loved the display ans the replication of the African continent down to the detail of the Island of Madagascar. Loved it.

African time had a share in the opening ceremony. It didn’t start on time as planned and thus the kick off was delayed by a few minutes. I felt the country’s president took a long time with his opening remark while that of the FIFA & CAF presidents were precise.

On the Greens, hosts Cote d’Ivoire started on fire with Fofona scoring the opener in the 4th minute. It was a well taken strike and tells of the Ivorians’ quality in the absence of big name like Sebastian Haller.

As I predicted in Day #1, CIV scored 2+ goals after Guinea-Bissau missed chances too. Fofona could have made it 2-0 in the 1st half but a finger tip save deflected his shot to the crossbar and out. He was the livewire in the 1st half.

In the 2nd half, Krasso made it 2-0 in the 58th minutes after GNB failed to clear their lines. European based Pepe & Aurier entered the fray but the game ended 2-0 and 62% ball possession.

Two goals and a clean sheet is a good way to start a group that has the Super Eagles of Nigeria in it. The Eagles will take on Guinea today by 2pm local time (3pm Nigeria time).

Updates from Nigeria’s camp indicates that Peserio will make some changes to the usual line up. Stanley Nwabali is expected to start in place Francis Uzoho who hasn’t had a good performing recently.

OwnGoalNigeria is reporting that Alhassan Yusuf will get the nod ahead of Fulham’s Alex Iwobi but I think Peserio would play both. Possible starting XI: Nwabali, Ekong, Ajayi, Aina, Onyemaechi, Onyeka, Iwobi, Yusuf, Lookman, Simon, Osimhen.

The Super Eagles have won all 3 of their matches against Equatorial Guinea. They would be happy to make it 4/4 to put pressure on CIV in Group A.

There are 2 other matches today. In group B, Mo Salah’s Egypt will play Madagascar while Partey-less Ghana and Cape Verde will battle.

Predictions: NGA 2-0 EQG; EGY 3-0 MDG, GHA 1-1 CPV

Time to have lunch before the Eagles fly.