THE Confederation of African Football is confident that Cote d’Ivoire will host a spectacular 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in January, with Nigeria’s Super Eagles and 23 other national teams from the continent in attendance.
The 2023 AFCON will kick off on January 13, which is exactly 100 days away, and CAF says it is excited that the biggest tournament in Africa is close by.
“In 100 days from today, Africa’s biggest event; the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023 will kick-off in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire bringing together Africa’s top football stars from 13 January until 11 February,” CAF said in a statement made available to Naija Times today.
“With today marking exactly 100 D
days to kick-off, excitement to the biggest event on African soil has reached fever pitch, with the Ivorian nation eagerly anticipating to welcome the 24 national teams as well as the rest of Africa to its shores for the 34th edition of AFCON.”
The draw for the tournament will be held next Thursday and CAF says it “marks yet another important milestone as this will see the battle lines being officially drawn for the 24 qualified teams”.
The Super Eagles and the 23 other teams, including fellow multiple-times champions like Ghana, Egypt, Cameroon, Algeria and hosts Cote d’Ivoire, will be split into six groups of four teams each at the draw ceremony.
“The TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations is watched by over 500 million people in over 150 countries – making it the biggest event to be staged on African soil and amongst the biggest sporting events,” CAF added.
“In June 2023, CAF and the Côte d’Ivoire Local Organising Committee unveiled the official identity for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023.
“This was the first time in over a decade that CAF has given the AFCON identity a new look – once again demonstrating CAF’s commitment in making the event in Cote d’Ivoire next year the best in living memory of the competition.”
The tournament, which was postponed from June and July this year over weather concerns, will be held in five standard stadiums in Abidjan, Bouake, Yamoussoukro and San Pedro.
CAF noted: “The Ivorian Government has invested a lot in building world class stadiums in all the five cities that will host the event.
“Not only are the stadiums world class, the country has benefited in major road
and infrastructure upgrades as part of the preparations for the tournament.”
