By Victor Kanayo
The official match ball for the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has been launched.
The match ball named after Ivorian legendary forward Laurent Pokou, was unveiled by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Match Ball Craft, Exploits Of A Legend
Pokou is referred as a doyen of African football whose five goals in the 6-1 victory over Ethiopia at the 1970 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations remains a record during the final competition.
Nicknamed L’homme d’Asmara, Pokou is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of Ivorian football.
It is in recognition of his contribution to football in the West African country, that one of the match venues for the AFCON 2023 scheduled for Cote d’Ivoire in San Pedro is christened Laurent Pokou Stadium.
He made his debut against Ghana in a friendly in 1967, going on to become top scorer in the 1968 and 1970 Africa Cup of Nations.
His 14 goals in the Africa Cup of Nations was for a long time a tournament record till 2008, when Samuel Eto’o of Cameroon eclipsed that feat.
A legend Ivorian of giants, ASEC Mimosas, Pokou also had stints with French sides, Stade Rennes and Nancy.
He passed away on November 13, 2016, aged 69.
During the presentation, Erwan, a son of the late Pokou, presented the iconic and beautifully designed match ball to the audience at the final draw.
Match Ball Attributes
The official ball, POKOU, features the three main colours of the Cote d’Ivoire flag – white, orange and green, whilst incorporating the latest technology that will revolutionize the game on the continent and beyond.
“This is an emotional moment for my family. It is a great honour bestowed on my late father who gave his life to Ivorian football, to have the official match ball for a tournament taking place in no other place than Cote d’Ivoire named after him.
“The family appreciates the efforts by CAF and the Local Organising Committee (COCAN) to celebrate heroes and heroines to motivate and inspire future generations to follow in their exemplary steps,” Erwan said.
The bi-annual tournament will take place from January 13 to February 11, 2024, in the cities of Abidjan, Bouake, Korhogo, San Pedro and Yamoussoukro.
Host Cote d’Ivoire will take on the Djurtus of Guinea-Bissau in the opening fixture at the Alhassan Quattara Stadium, Ebimpe, on January 13.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles are drawn in same Group A with host Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.
