The highly anticipated Africa Cup of Nations 2023 is set to kick off on Saturday, January 13, captivating football enthusiasts worldwide. Hosted by Ivory Coast, the tournament promises a month of thrilling matches, culminating in the grand final at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Sunday, February 11. Let’s delve into the details, from group line-ups to venues, and explore the rich history of this prestigious event.
When and Where?
The 34th edition of AFCON commences on Saturday, January 13, as Ivory Coast takes center stage for the second time as hosts. The tournament spans nearly a month, concluding on February 11 at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium.
Groups Unveiled
Twenty-four teams are vying for glory, divided into six groups of four. Here’s the breakdown:
Group A:
- Ivory Coast 🇨🇮
- Nigeria 🇳🇬
- Equatorial Guinea 🇬🇶
- Guinea-Bissau 🇬🇼
Group B:
- Egypt 🇪🇬
- Ghana 🇬🇭
- Cape Verde 🇨🇻
- Mozambique 🇲🇿
Group C:
- Senegal 🇸🇳
- Cameroon 🇨🇲
- Guinea 🇬🇳
- The Gambia 🇬🇲
Group D:
- Algeria 🇩🇿
- Burkina Faso 🇧🇫
- Mauritania 🇲🇷
- Angola 🇦🇴
Group E:
- Tunisia 🇹🇳
- Mali 🇲🇱
- South Africa 🇿🇦
- Namibia 🇳🇦
Group F:
- Morocco 🇲🇦
- DR Congo 🇨🇩
- Zambia 🇿🇲
- Tanzania 🇹🇿
The top two teams from each group, along with the four highest-ranked third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stage.
Host Cities and Venues
AFCON 2023 will unfold in five host cities, utilizing six impressive stadiums:
- Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (Capacity: 60,000)
- Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (Capacity: 33,000)
- Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro (Capacity: 20,000)
- Stade de la Paix, Bouake (Capacity: 40,000)
- Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Korhogo (Capacity: 20,000)
- Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pedro (Capacity: 20,000)
AFCON Through the Years
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has a storied history, showcasing the continent’s football prowess since its inception in 1957. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit the champions and finalists who have left an indelible mark on this prestigious tournament.
| Year | Winners | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Egypt | Ethiopia |
| 1959 | Egypt | Sudan |
| 1962 | Ethiopia | Egypt |
| 1963 | Ghana | Sudan |
| 1965 | Ghana | Tunisia |
| 1968 | DR Congo | Ghana |
| 1970 | Sudan | Ghana |
| 1972 | Congo | Mali |
| 1974 | DR Congo | Zambia |
| 1976 | Morocco | Guinea |
| 1978 | Ghana | Uganda |
| 1980 | Nigeria | Algeria |
| 1982 | Ghana | Libya |
| 1984 | Cameroon | Nigeria |
| 1986 | Egypt | Cameroon |
| 1988 | Cameroon | Nigeria |
| 1990 | Algeria | Nigeria |
| 1992 | Ivory Coast | Ghana |
| 1994 | Nigeria | Zambia |
| 1996 | South Africa | Tunisia |
| 1998 | Egypt | South Africa |
| 2000 | Cameroon | Nigeria |
| 2002 | Cameroon | Senegal |
| 2004 | Tunisia | Morocco |
| 2006 | Egypt | Ivory Coast |
| 2008 | Egypt | Cameroon |
| 2010 | Egypt | Ghana |
| 2012 | Zambia | Ivory Coast |
| 2013 | Nigeria | Burkina Faso |
| 2015 | Ivory Coast | Ghana |
| 2017 | Cameroon | Egypt |
| 2019 | Algeria | Senegal |
| 2021 | Senegal | Egypt |
This comprehensive list showcases the dynamic history of AFCON, illustrating the triumphs and heartbreaks that have unfolded on the football pitch over the years. As we gear up for the 2023 edition, the anticipation for the next chapter in AFCON history continues to grow.
Group Stage Fixtures
The group stage promises a riveting start with matches scheduled as follows:
Saturday, January 13
- Group A: Ivory Coast vs Guinea-Bissau – Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (8pm)
Sunday, January 14
- Group A: Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea – Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (2pm)
- Group B: Egypt vs Mozambique – Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (5pm)
- Group B: Ghana vs Cape Verde – Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (8pm)
Monday, January 15
- Group C: Senegal vs The Gambia – Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro (2pm)
- Group C: Cameroon vs Guinea – Yamoussoukro (5pm)
- Group D: Algeria vs Angola – Stade de la Paix, Bouake (8pm)
Tuesday, January 16
- Group D: Burkina Faso vs Mauritania – Bouake (2pm)
- Group E: Tunisia vs Namibia – Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Korhogo (5pm)
- Group E: Mali vs South Africa – Korhogo (8pm)
Wednesday, January 17
- Group F: Morocco vs Tanzania – Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pedro (5pm)
- Group F: DR Congo vs Zambia – San Pedro (8pm)
…and the group stage continues with thrilling matchups until January 22.
Second Round Showdown
As the group stage concludes, the knockout phase takes center stage:
Saturday, January 27
- SR1: Group D Winner vs 3rd Place Group B/E/F – Bouake (5pm)
- SR2: Group A Second Place vs Group C Second Place – Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (8pm)
Sunday, January 28
- SR3: Group A Winner vs 3rd Place Group C/D/E – Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (5pm)
- SR4: Group B Second Place vs Group F Second Place – San Pedro (8pm)
…leading to the thrilling quarter-finals on February 2 and 3.
Road to the Final
The semifinals are set to captivate fans on Wednesday, February 7:
- SF1: Winner QF1 vs Winner QF4 – Bouake (5pm)
- SF2: Winner QF3 vs Winner QF2 – Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (8pm)
The Grand Finale
The journey culminates in a spectacular final on Sunday, February 11:
- Final: Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (8pm)
As AFCON 2023 unfolds, football enthusiasts worldwide are in for a month-long spectacle, celebrating the passion and skill that define this iconic tournament. Stay tuned for updates, surprises, and the crowning of the new African champion.