The 34th edition of the African Cup of Nations is set to
take place in Cote d’Ivoire next year. The tournament will feature 24 teams
from across the continent.
The Super Eagles have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts
Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea.
With less than 30 days left until the tournament, the
Confederations of African Football (CAF) has released some information about
the tournament.
Hosts and Opening Match: Cote d’Ivoire is set to stage the
finals, with the opening match scheduled for Saturday, 13 January, where the
hosts will face Guinea-Bissau at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.
Historic Context: Cote d’Ivoire is hosting the tournament
for the first time since 1984.
Venue Overview: The matches will be held in six stadiums
across five host cities, reflecting Cote d’Ivoire’s commitment to sports
infrastructure development. The cities of Abidjan, Bouake, Korogho, San Pedro
and Yamoussoukro.
Akwaba – The Official Mascot: The official mascot, “Akwaba,”
derived from the Baoulé language’s term for “Welcome.” Represented by an
elephant, Akwaba’s attire pays homage to the host nation’s identity by
mirroring Cote d’Ivoire’s home colours.
“Pokou” – The Official Match Ball: The official match ball
is called “Pokou”. It honours the late Ivorian football legend, Laurent Pokou,
renowned for his historic achievement of scoring five goals in the 6-1 victory
over Ethiopia during the 1970 tournament.
“Akwaba” – The Official Song Celebration: The official song,
“Akwaba,” features Nigerian artist Yemi Alade, Egyptian rapper Mohamed Ramadan,
and Ivorian music band Magic System. The anthem blends afrobeat, rap, and
zouglou, embodying a unique musical fusion deeply rooted in the tradition of
the tournament.
Group Structure: The 24 teams are divided into six groups of
four teams each, with intriguing match-ups like Egypt vs. Ghana in Group B and
Senegal vs. Cameroon in Group C.
Tournament Format: The top two teams in each group and the
four best-ranked third-placed teams advance to the last 16, followed by
quarter-finals, semi-finals, a match for third place, and the final.
Kick-off Times: During the group stages, at least two games
will be played each day at 14:00, 17:00, and 20:00 (all times GMT). Similar
timings will be used in the knockout stages starting on Saturday, 27 January.
Opening Match Details: Côte d’Ivoire vs. Guinea-Bissau at
the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (20:00 GMT) on Saturday, 13 January.
Group Stage Kicks Off: Two games each day until 24 January
across various stadiums and cities.
Opening Weekend Highlights: Record seven-time champions
Egypt will face Mozambique in Group B, while holders Senegal kick off their
title defence against The Gambia in Group C on Monday, 15 January.
Second Round Fixtures: Commence on Saturday, 27 January,
with intriguing matchups like Group D winner vs. 3rd place Group B/E/F in
Bouake (17:00 GMT).
Quarter-Final Showdown: Friday, 2 February, featuring
winners from the second round at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan
(17:00 GMT).
Semi-Final Battles: Set for Wednesday, 7 February, with the
winners from the quarter-finals facing off at Bouake (17:00 GMT) and Alassane
Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (20:00 GMT).
Third-Place Play-Off: Saturday, 10 February, determining the
best of the rest at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (20:00 GMT).
Grand Finale: The moment everyone is waiting for – the final
showdown on Sunday, 11 February, at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan
(20:00 GMT).
Tournament Favourites: Senegal, the current champions, are
considered favorites despite key players Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly and
Edouard Mendy moving to the Saudi Pro League. Other strong contenders include
Morocco, Nigeria, Algeria and Cote d’Ivoire. Morocco, fresh from reaching a
World Cup semi-final, seeks Afcon glory, while Ivory Coast remains a force to
be reckoned with.
Côte d’Ivoire vs. Nigeria: A high-stakes encounter in Group
A on 18 January at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (17:00 GMT).
Senegal vs. Cameroon: Group C heavyweight clash on 20
January at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro (14:00 GMT).
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