AFCON
It is 100 Days to Africa Cup of Nations 2023
In 100 days from today, Africa’s biggest event; the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023 will kick-off in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire bringing together Africa’s top football stars from 13 January until 11 February.
With today marking exactly 100 Days to kick-off, excitement to the biggest event on African soil has reached fever pitch, with the Ivorian nation eagerly anticipating to welcome the 24 national teams as well as the rest of Africa to its shores for the 34th edition of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Official Final Draw, to be conducted on 12 October at 19h00 local time, marks yet another important milestone as this will see the battle lines being officially drawn for the 24 qualified teams.
The Africa Cup of Nations is watched by over 500 million people in over 150 countries – making it the biggest event to be staged on African soil and amongst the biggest sporting events.
New look and new Identity for CAF Africa Cup of Nations
In June 2023, CAF and the Côte d’Ivoire Local Organising Committee unveiled the official identity for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023.
This was the first time in over a decade that CAF has given the CAF Africa Cup of Nations identity a new look – once again demonstrating CAF’s commitment in making the event in Cote d’Ivoire next year the best in living memory of the competition.
Stadiums and Infrastructure: Ivorian Government’s huge infrastructure commitment
The Ivorian Government has invested a lot in building world class stadiums in all the five cities that will host the event:
Not only are the stadiums world class, the country has benefited in major roads and infrastructure upgrades as part of the preparations for the s CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023.
Five host cities will be used for the event.
HOST CITIES & STADIUMS
Abidjan: (Alassane Ouattara Stadium and Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium)
The economic hub, Abidjan will have two stadiums: Alassane Ouattara Stadium and Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium.
Abidjan is home to almost six million people.
The Alassane Ouattara Stadium will host the opening match on 13 January 2024 and the final of the competition on 11 February 2024.
In preparation for the competition, the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium underwent major renovations, including upgrades to its structure, seating, and turf. The stadium now has a seating capacity of 29,000.
It will host Cote d’Ivoire next friendly on 14 October 2023 – the match will be used as a test event.
Bouaké: (Stade De La Paix)
Bouaké, along with Abidjan, served as a host city for the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations. It is located in the central part of the country, 350 km from the economic capital, and 100 km from Yamoussoukro, the political capital.
Korhogo: (Stade Amadou Gon Coulibaly)
Korhogo, known as the “Pôrô” city, named after a tradition of the local Sénoufo ethnic group, is the capital of the Savanes region.
It is located approximately 207 km from Mali and 242 km from Burkina Faso, with an estimated population of around 300,000 inhabitants.
Yamoussoukro: (Charles Konan Banny Stadium)
The birthplace of the first President of the Republic, the late Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Yamoussoukro serves as the political and administrative capital of Côte d’Ivoire.
It is located 240 km north of Abidjan and has an estimated population of over 260,000 inhabitants.
San Pédro: (Laurent Pokou Stadium)
Located in the southwest of Côte d’Ivoire, 350 km from Abidjan, San Pédro is a coastal and tourist city with a population of just over 265,000 inhabitants.
It is home to the country’s second-largest port and the world’s leading cocoa export port.
The Laurent Pokou Stadium, built on a 23.33-hectare site in the Poro district of San Pedro, is a towering figure and one of the proud architectural gems.
–Cafonline
Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
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By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
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