The article begins by discussing the news of Côte d’Ivoire which is preparing to kick off CAN 2024 against Guinea-Bissau. The Ivorian team, nicknamed the Elephants, is under pressure to start this competition well, while the Guinea-Bissau selection hopes to finally achieve its first victory in the final phase of the CAN.
Ivory Coast coach Jean-Louis Gasset emphasizes the importance of managing pressure and transforming this fervor into strength and confidence for the players. Playing at home can be an advantage, but it can also add extra pressure. Nevertheless, the team remains focused on its journey and considers the favorites of the competition like Senegal and Morocco.
Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessié expresses his pride in playing at home and calls on supporters to rally behind the team. He sees the crowd as the twelfth player on the pitch and hopes they will be there to support them.
The article also highlights the experience of the Bissau-Guineans in the opening matches, but mentions that the dynamics of the last matches lean in favor of the Ivory Coast. The Elephants recorded convincing victories in the warm-up matches, while Guinea-Bissau suffered a heavy defeat against Mali.
In conclusion, this article highlights the importance of the first CAN match for Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau. The stakes are high for the Elephants who want to start the competition in front of their home crowd, while the Bissau-Guineans hope to finally make it through the first round. Supporters are called upon to support their respective team to create an electric atmosphere on the pitch.