Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire: In the draw for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations held in Abidjan on Thursday, the host nation, Ivory Coast, was pitted in Group A alongside West African giants Nigeria.
The tournament, scheduled to kick off on January 13 and conclude on February 11, 2024, will feature matches played at six stadiums in five cities.
The draw also revealed some other exciting matchups with defending champions Senegal paired in Group C with five-time winners Cameroon, as well as Guinea and Gambia.
Meanwhile, Morocco, Africa’s first-ever World Cup semi-finalists, will face the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, and Tanzania in Group F.
Ivory Coast, who are seeking their third Cup of Nations title, will face Guinea-Bissau in the tournament’s opening match.
The clash between Ivory Coast and Nigeria is expected to be one of the most anticipated fixtures in Group A. Nigeria last won the Cup of Nations in 2013, with Ivory Coast succeeding them as champions in 2015.
Group D consists of Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and Angola, completing the line-up of teams at the tournament. The group winners and runners-up, along with the four highest-ranked third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stage.
With fast-improving Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau, who have qualified for their fourth consecutive edition, joining Ivory Coast and Nigeria in Group A, the mini-league promises to be highly competitive.
When it comes to the Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt stands out as the most successful team in the tournament’s history.
The Egyptian national team has claimed an impressive seven titles, demonstrating their dominance in African football.
This includes their victories during the period when they competed as the United Arab Republic from 1958 to 1971.
Cameroon follows closely behind with five tournament wins, establishing themselves as a powerhouse in African football. Their success has been a testament to their skill and consistency over the years.
Ghana, another footballing giant on the continent, has secured the title on four occasions.
The Ghanaian national team has a rich history in the Africa Cup of Nations and has consistently been a strong contender in the tournament.
These three nations, Egypt, Cameroon, and Ghana, have enjoyed tremendous success and have left a lasting impact on the history of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Their multiple titles demonstrate the strength and talent of their respective teams, as well as their ability to consistently perform at the highest level.
As the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations approaches, fans eagerly await to see if Egypt, Cameroon, or Ghana can add to their trophy cabinets and further solidify their legacies in African football.
2023 Africa Cup of Nations Draw in Full
Below is the draw for the Africa Cup of Nations, made in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on Thursday:
- Group A: Ivory Coast (hosts), Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau
- Group B: Egypt, Ghana, Cape Verde, Mozambique
- Group C: Senegal (holders), Cameroon, Guinea, Gambia
- Group D: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Angola
- Group E: Tunisia, Mali, South Africa, Namibia
- Group F: Morocco, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Tanzania
All group winners and runners-up and the four other best third-placed teams will qualify for the knockout stage (Round of 16).
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