In anticipation of the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), former Ivory Coast forward Salomon Kalou has sounded a cautionary note, advising the Elephants to approach their Group A opponents with particular wariness, notably highlighting the Super Eagles as a formidable and dangerous side.
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Ivory Coast, set to host the prestigious AFCON tournament, finds themselves drawn into Group A alongside Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea Bissau.
As the Elephants strive to emulate Egypt’s 2006 achievement of reaching the final as the host nation, the competition is poised to be intense.
Jean-Louis Gasset’s Ivory Coast side, two-time AFCON champions in 1992 and 2015, will face tough competition from the Super Eagles, three-time winners in 1980, 1994, and 2013.
The battle for supremacy begins on January 14, with Nigeria taking on Juan Micha’s team, followed by a highly anticipated clash against the hosts on January 18 at the 60,000-capacity Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.
In an interview with CAFonline, Kalou, a former Chelsea striker, acknowledged the tough nature of Group A, singling out Jose Peseiro’s side as the most formidable.
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He emphasized Nigeria’s consistent display of great potential at each AFCON, while also noting Equatorial Guinea’s commendable performance in the last edition and suggesting Guinea Bissau could be the group’s surprise package.
Kalou stressed the importance of respecting all teams in the group and emphasized the significance of winning the first match to set the tone for a successful competition.
Reflecting on Ivory Coast’s hosting responsibilities, Kalou expressed joy in welcoming all of Africa to celebrate football. With legends like Didier Drogba, Yaya Touré, and Gervinho having illuminated the nation’s football history, organizing the AFCON holds immense importance for the Ivorian football community.
The last time Ivory Coast hosted the competition was in 1984, making this edition a momentous occasion after a 40-year hiatus. Kalou extended gratitude to His Excellency the President of the Republic, Alassane Ouattara, for the infrastructure advancements in place for the tournament.
