The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023, promises to be an exciting tournament as the official draw held in Abidjan has set up some enticing matches.
Hosts Cote d’Ivoire will face regional rivals Nigeria in the group stage, creating a thrilling showdown.
Defending champions Senegal will take on Cameroon, while record winners Egypt will renew their rivalry with Ghana in what is expected to be a fiercely contested group.
The draw ceremony, graced by football legends such as Didier Drogba, Mikel Obi, Sadio Mane, and Achraf Hakimi, added to the excitement of the event.
Group A will witness a West African clash as hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau are grouped together.
Group C, which appears highly competitive, features Senegal, Cameroon, Guinea, and AFCON debutant Gambia.
Notably, Senegal and Cameroon are set to meet in a friendly match in France, further building the anticipation for their clash on Ivorian soil.
In Group B, Egypt, aiming for their eighth continental crown, will face Ghana, revisiting the 2010 final that the Pharaohs won late on.
Cape Verde and Mozambique complete this group. Group D boasts star quality, with Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and Angola promising exciting matchups.
Meanwhile, in Group F, World Cup semi-finalists Morocco will navigate a seemingly comfortable group comprising DR Congo, Zambia, and Tanzania.
The matches will be held at six venues across the country, including newly constructed stadiums in Abidjan, Korhogo, and San Pedro.
The 16-team group stage was drawn in Abidjan, with Cote d’Ivoire eagerly preparing to host the continent’s premier football event from January 13 to February 11, 2023.
Football enthusiasts can anticipate an action-packed tournament with these captivating matchups on the horizon.
Groups:
Group A: Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau
Group B: Egypt, Ghana, Cape Verde Islands, and Mozambique
Group C: Senegal, Cameroon, Guinea, and Gambia
Group D: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and Angola
Group E: Tunisia, Mali, South Africa, Namibia
Group F: Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia, Tanzania