By Victor Kanayo
Confederation of African Football (CAF), has announced that the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament will kick-off on January 13, 2024 in Cote d’ivoire.
CAF communication department in a statement, disclosed this through its website on Thursday March 30.
Part of the statement reads, “The TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 dates have been officially confirmed by CAF, with the opening match scheduled to take place on Saturday, 13 January 2024 at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan.
“The four-week tournament, pitting Africa’s best 24 nations will officially conclude on 11 February 2024.
“This will be the 34th edition of the tournament and returns to Cote d’Ivoire for the second time after first being held there in 1984, where Cameroon emerged as winners for the first time.
“With the TotalEnergies AFCON 2023 Qualifiers approaching its business end, the road to Cote D’Ivoire is gradually taking shape as the world gears up for Africa’s biggest football spectacle.”
CAF also revealed that so far, six countries aside host, have already qualified for the biennial competition.
They are; Algeria, Morocco, South Africa, Tunisia, Burkina Faso and African champions, Senegal.
CAF General Secretary, Veron Mosengo-Omba, also confirmed that the Final Draw of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations 2023 Cote d’Ivoire, will be held in September 2023, with exact date and venue yet to be confirmed.
CAF also disclosed plans for growing viewership amidst towering interests in the continent’s several competitions.
It said, “With the rapidly growing global interest of CAF competitions recorded in the last few months, CAF is projecting record global TV audiences and stadium attendances for next year’s edition of its flagship competition, which also currently holds the record of being Africa’s biggest event.
“As evidently seen in recently concluded CAF competitions, CAF has taken giant steps in enhancing the viewing and stadium attendance experience of its competitions with the introduction of cutting-edge broadcast technology as well as digital engagement, resulting in a world-class product that is consumed in real time globally.”
