Fans poke fun at Guinea-Bissau's Encada for his clearnace during AFCON opener 😂

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations got underway on Saturday, with the hosts, Ivory Coast, claiming a 2-0 victory against Guinea-Bissau.

The home nation would get off to a flying start at the tournament, with Al-Nassr star Seko Fofana opening the scoring after just four minutes, weaving his way into the penalty area before rifling a shot past Ouparine Djoco in goal to take the lead.

Ivory Coast had several chances to double their lead with Fofana also smashing the ball against the crossbar not long after.

They would extend their lead to 2-0 after half-time, with Jean-Philippe Krasso stretching to swipe the ball into the back of the net from an awkward angle.

But fans pointed out a moment in the opening three minutes of the game, where Guinea-Bissau's right-back Jefferson Encada intercepted a pass inside the penalty area and smashed the ball out of play.

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The defender put some power through his clearance, firing the ball out of play for a corner, with Encada also not under any immediate pressure inside the penalty area.

Fans have taken to social media to poke fun at the incident, with some stating that he 'wasn't taking any chances.'

'Better safe than sorry,' one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Encada started his career in the Sporting Lisbon academy ranks, before moving to play for Portuguese side Guimaraes and Leixoes.

He now plays for Pharco FC in the Egyptian Premier League and has 13 appearances for Guinea-Bissau.

Another added: 'What was going through his mind' posting a laughing-face emoji.

Other fans said: 'Me at 5-aside sweeping up thinking I'm prime Nesta.'

'AFCON is the best football tournament in the world and I will not hear anyone say otherwise,' another added.

Despite suffering defeat in their opening fixture, Guinea-Bissau are back in action on Thursday against Equatorial Guinea.

Ivory Coast, meanwhile, come up against Nigeria in a huge clash in Group A.