The draw for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations took place in Abidjan on Thursday, revealing some exciting matchups for the tournament set to be held in Ivory Coast next year. Defending champions Senegal have been drawn in Group C alongside Cameroon, Guinea, and The Gambia.
The star-studded ceremony saw African football legends, including Senegal’s Sadio Mane, drawing the teams. Mane expressed his thoughts on the challenging group, stating, “It’s a really difficult group. Cameroon is going to be really tough, but we will give our best to go through in the first round.” Senegal, led by Mane, clinched their first Afcon title in 2021 after defeating Egypt in a thrilling final.
In another intriguing matchup, hosts Ivory Coast and Nigeria, two football powerhouses, were drawn together in Group A. The Ivory Coast, winners in 1992 and 2015, will open the tournament on January 13 against Guinea-Bissau, while Equatorial Guinea completes the group.
The draw also revealed a highly competitive Group E, featuring South Africa, Namibia, Tunisia, and Mali. This group is expected to provide intense battles throughout the tournament.
The tournament, originally scheduled for June and July 2023, was moved to avoid the rainy season. It will now take place from January 13 to February 11, 2024. The matches will be held in two stadiums in Abidjan, as well as venues in Bouake, Korhogo, San Pedro, and Yamoussoukro.
The Africa Cup of Nations 2023 will feature 24 teams, with the winners and runners-up from each group, along with the best four third-placed teams, advancing to the knockout phase. The final will be held at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan on February 11.
Football fans around the continent are eagerly anticipating the tournament, which promises to showcase the best of African football talent and provide thrilling moments on the road to crowning the new champions of Africa.