Meet Seko Fofana, scorer of the 2023 AFCON first goal
Seko Fofana emerged as a key figure, scoring the first goal that set Cote d’Ivoire on the path to victory against Guinea-Bissau. SportsRation provides details of this dual-footed footballer.
WHAT HAPPENED
The opening match of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations took place at the Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium in Abidjan on Saturday, January 13, 2024, capturing the attention of football fans worldwide.
Inside the opening four minutes, Seko Fofana graced the net with a well placed shot to put his name in the history book and give his country a perfect start to the tournament.
Krassio added a second to sum a 2-0 win for Cote d’Ivoire over Guinea Bissau.
ABOUT SEKO FOFANA – AGE
Seko Fofana was born on May 7, 1995, he is 28-years old and stands at a height of 1.83 meters.
CLUB HISTORY
Seko Fofana was born and raised in France. He spent his youth career at Paris FC, his hometown club, and Lorient, before signing his first contract with Manchester City in 2014, but never played a professional match for the English club.
He was loaned to Fulham then Bastia and then played four years for Serie A club Udinese before joining RC Lens, just promoted to Ligue 1, in the summer of 2020.
At RC Lens, Fofana flourished and rose to become captain until July 2023 when he decided to try a new league.
CRISTIANO RONALDO’S TEAMMATE
After helping RC Lens book a Champions League spot, Seko Fofana agreed to join Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia to become a teammate of Portuguese superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo.
On the same day, RC Lens also announced the departure of Polish international Adam Buksa, on loan to Turkish club Antalyaspor with the option to buy but it was Fofana’s exit that drew speeches.
“I leave you with the feeling of accomplishment and pride at being a part of this history which is ours,” Fofana, 28, wrote in a farewell video posted on Instagram while the club saluted the midfielder for his commitment.
“I want, on behalf of the club, to especially salute an exemplary captain who has been sparkling and has shown leadership for three seasons,” said RC Lens general manager Arnaud Pouille.
“Proof of his deep attachment to Racing, he will very soon become the first player leaving a club to become a shareholder,” he said.
At Al Nassr, the Ivorien International wears jersey number six and has played in 14-games this season.
COMPARED TO YAYA TOURE
Due to his physique and style of play, Seko Fofana has often drawn comparison to countryman Yaya Toure.
Even his goal vs Guinea Bissau was copy of what Yaya Toure delivered during his active days.
Fofana and Toure were once teammates when as a youngster, Seko joined City in 2014.
Here is comment Fofana said of his time at City “In front of me, I had almost the best players in Europe. You quickly learn that you have done nothing in football. I was very very far from the top level. It opened my eyes. The first time I went to train with the first team, I only saw big-name players, and I couldn’t believe I was there.”
Though he did not make it into the first team for a competitive game, he played alongside some future stars under Vieira in the club’s U23 side: ex-Lille and Monaco man Rony Lopes, RB Leipzig’s Angelino, Swansea City midfielder Olivier Ntcham and Lyon defender Jason Denayer. And — just as with Nasri — he got to know first-team stars, including Touré.
“He [Toure] inspired me a lot,” said Fofana. “When we went on tour, we spoke about everything and nothing. I had some times that I will never forget. And on the pitch, he was a role model for me, with his long runs forward, his assists, his goals. He was able to do almost everything, he was complete.” Fofana said.
CAN FOFANA INSPIRE COTE D’IVOIRE TO AFCON GLORY
The Elephants are dreaming of success at the AFCON and Fofana who was named MAN OF THE MATCH for the opening game has emerged as one of the stars to lead this charge.
If he continues to hit like he did on Sunday night plus that domineering and confident prescence in the middle, then Cote d’Ivoire can dream of AFCON title success on home soil.
