It is a huge night for Jean-Philippe Krasso as he leads the line for Ivory Coast in the opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations against Guinea-Bissau.
After coach Jean-Louis Gasset left Wilfried Zaha out of his squad for, he heads into tonight’s game without Sebastien Haller, who is not fit enough for even the bench.
Brighton midfielder Simon Adingra has also failed to overcome a knock.
Crvena zvezda striker Krasso will be flanked by Jeremy Boga and Jonathan Bamba in Abidjan.
The Elephants are favourites to lead the way in Group A and must deal with that pressure in front of huge home support.
It looks like a reasonably favourable start to their campaign, with Jean-Louis Gasset’s side up against an opponent who have never previously made it out of the AFCON group stage.
Despite booking their ticket automatically by way of hosting the tournament, the Ivorians took part in qualifiers and finished second, level on points with Zambia.
Only once have they have failed to progress from the group stages and they warmed up for the tournament by thrashing Sierra Leone.
Ivory Coast XI: Y. Fofana; Singo, Diomande, N’Dicka, Konan; Kessie, I. Sangare, S. Fofana; Boga, Krasso, Bamba
Subs: Seri, Kossounou, Konate, Boly, Diakite, Gradel, Aurier, Pepe, Kouame, B. Sangare, Doumbia, Diallo
Injuries: Adingra, Haller
Time and date: 8pm GMT on Saturday 13 January, 2024
Venue: Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan
Below are the team news :
Ivory Coast XI: Y. Fofana; Singo, Diomande, N’Dicka, Konan; Kessie, I. Sangare, S. Fofana; Boga, Krasso, Bamba
Subs: Seri, Kossounou, Konate, Boly, Diakite, Gradel, Aurier, Pepe, Kouame, B. Sangare, Doumbia, Diallo
Guinea-Bissau XI: C.Mané, Opa Sangante, Balde, Janio Bikel, Moreto Cassamá, Alfa Semedo, Ouparine Djoco, Fali Candé, Encada, Mauro Rodrigues, Mane M.
Subs: Zinho Gano, Jonas Mendes, Edgar Ié, Nanu, Zé Turbo, Dálcio, Houboulang Mendes, Sori Mané, Carlos Mendes, Franculino, Marciano Sanca, Nito