As the highly anticipated TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023, approaches, football fans are gearing up for a month of intense competition.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about the 34th edition of Africa’s biggest sporting event.
Hosts and Opening Match:
– Cote d’Ivoire hosts the tournament for the second time, with the opening match on Saturday, 13 January, where the hosts face Guinea-Bissau at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.
Historic Context:
– Cote d’Ivoire last hosted the tournament in 1984, adding significance to the current edition.
Venue Overview:
– Matches will be held in six stadiums across five host cities: Abidjan, Bouake, Korogho, San Pedro, and Yamoussoukro.
Akwaba – The Official Mascot:
– The official mascot, “Akwaba,” symbolizes welcome in the Baoulé language. Represented by an elephant, it pays homage to Cote d’Ivoire’s identity.
“Pokou” – The Official Match Ball:
– The official match ball, “Pokou,” honours Ivorian football legend Laurent Pokou, known for scoring five goals in a historic 1970 match against Ethiopia.
“Akwaba” – The Official Song Celebration:
– The official song features Nigerian artist Yemi Alade, Egyptian rapper Mohamed Ramadan, and Ivorian music band Magic System, embodying a musical fusion rooted in the tournament’s tradition.
Group Structure:
– The 24 teams are divided into six groups with intriguing matchups like Egypt vs. Ghana and Senegal vs. Cameroon.
Tournament Format:
– The top two teams in each group and the four best-ranked third-placed teams advance to the last 16, followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals, a match for third place, and the final.
Kick-off Times:
– Group stage and knockout stage matches are scheduled at 14:00, 17:00, and 20:00 GMT.
Opening Match Details:
– Côte d’Ivoire vs. Guinea-Bissau at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan, on Saturday, 13 January (20:00 GMT).
Group Stage Kicks Off:
– Two games each day until 24 January across various stadiums and cities.
Opening Weekend Highlights:
– Egypt faces Mozambique, and Senegal defends their title against The Gambia on Monday, 15 January.
Second Round Fixtures:
– Commence on Saturday, 27 January, with matchups like Group D winner vs. 3rd place Group B/E/F.
Quarter-Final Showdown:
– Friday, 2 February, featuring winners from the second round at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (17:00 GMT).
Semi-Final Battles:
– Set for Wednesday, 7 February, at Bouake (17:00 GMT) and Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (20:00 GMT).
Third-Place Play-Off:
– Saturday, 10 February, at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (20:00 GMT).
Grand Finale:
– The showdown on Sunday, 11 February, at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (20:00 GMT).
Tournament Favourites:
– Senegal, current champions, are favourites despite key player movements. Other contenders include Morocco, Nigeria, Algeria, and Cote d’Ivoire.
Côte d’Ivoire vs. Nigeria:
– High-stakes encounter in Group A on 18 January at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (17:00 GMT).
Senegal vs. Cameroon:
– Group C heavyweight clash on 20 January at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro (14:00 GMT).
As the clock ticks down, the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Côte d’Ivoire 2023 promises a spectacle of footballing brilliance, drama, and unforgettable moments.
Get ready for a month-long celebration of African football excellence!
