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AFCON 2023 Explodes into Life
The long-awaited 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) kicked off on Saturday, 13 January, with host nation Ivory Coast facing off against Guinea-Bissau at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in a thrilling 2-0 victory. This year’s tournament promises to be one of the most exciting in recent memory, with record champions Egypt, defending champions Senegal, and rising stars like Morocco all vying for the coveted trophy.
The 24 teams have been divided into six groups, with mouth-watering matchups guaranteed from the get-go. Group A sees the hosts take on three-time champions Nigeria, while Group B boasts a heavyweight clash between Egypt, the most successful team in the competition’s history, and Ghana, led by former Premier League manager Chris Hughton.
Holders Senegal face a tough test in Group C, drawn against fellow giants Cameroon. Morocco, Africa’s highest-ranked team (13th) but without a Nations Cup title since 1976, finds themselves in Group F alongside former winners DR Congo and Zambia.
After the opening game, fans can expect at least two matches per day during the group stage, which runs until 24 January. Games will be played at 14:00, 17:00, and 20:00 GMT, with the knockout stages kicking off on 27 January.
The top two teams from each group, along with the four best-ranked third-placed teams, will advance to the last 16, followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals, a third-place playoff, and the grand finale.
Six state-of-the-art stadiums in five Ivorian cities will host the tournament. All venues are either new or have undergone extensive renovations, showcasing the country’s billion-dollar investment in infrastructure projects. Originally scheduled for June-July 2023, the tournament was moved to avoid the West African rainy season.
Many bookmakers have tipped Senegal as favourites to retain their title, buoyed by star players like Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Edouard Mendy. However, new talents like Pape Matar Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye have also emerged, while 19-year-old prodigy Lamine Camara recently bagged the African Young Player of the Year award.
Algeria, 2019 champions, are also strong contenders, having recently beaten Senegal in a friendly and started World Cup qualifying with impressive victories. Morocco, fresh off their World Cup heroics, and Ivory Coast are also seen as potential challengers.
Seven-time winners Egypt and traditional giants like Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon will be eager to prove their mettle, despite recent struggles and coaching uncertainties. With so much talent and unpredictability on display, Afcon 2023 promises to be a captivating spectacle of African football.
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