ISTANBUL

Hosts Ivory Coast kicked off the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Saturday with a 2-0 victory against Guinea-Bissau.

The hosts broke the deadlock when Seko Fofana made a close-range finish in the fourth minute, assisted by Franck Kessie.

In the 58th minute, Jean-Philippe Krasso's classy close-range shooting doubled the lead of the Elephants at Abidjan's Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara.

The 34th Africa Cup of Nations will end Feb. 11 in Abidjan.

Africa's football authority previously postponed the tournament to 2024 due to adverse weather in the Ivory Coast.

The Round of 16 will start Jan. 27, with the quarterfinal and semifinal stages starting Feb. 2 and 7, respectively.

Egypt is the most successful country in the tournament, lifting seven titles, the last in 2010.

Ivory Coast, have been crowned champions twice, in 1992 and 2015.