Toba Owojaiye Reporting
In a highly anticipated event, the draw for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has set the stage for an exciting tournament. Hosts Ivory Coast find themselves in Group A alongside three-time champions Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau. This group promises to be a battleground for supremacy, with Ivory Coast seeking to capitalize on home advantage and Nigeria’s formidable history in the competition.
Defending champions Senegal, fresh off their dramatic victory over Egypt in the 2021 final, have been drawn into a challenging Group C. Their opponents include Cameroon, Guinea, and The Gambia, making it a “really difficult group,” according to Senegal star Sadio Mane. The competition will be fierce as Senegal aims to retain its title against these formidable opponents.
Morocco, who impressed the world with their semi-final run in the 2022 World Cup, will face DR Congo, Zambia, and Tanzania in Group F. The Atlas Lions, hosting the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025, have a strong team and are eager to end their long title drought, which dates back to 1976.
The draw also reveals Algeria in Group D with Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and Angola, while Tunisia headlines Group E, accompanied by Mali, South Africa, and Namibia in what appears to be a balanced group.
Nigeria, a three-time winner of the AFCON, enters the competition with high expectations after topping their qualifiers group with an impressive 15 points and an astounding 22 goals, including a resounding 16-0 aggregate win against Sao Tome and Principe. They’ll strive to add another title to their collection after previous victories in 1980, 1994, and 2013.
With the tournament originally scheduled for the summer but now taking place between January 13 and February 11 due to weather concerns, fans can anticipate an intense and captivating competition. As the group stage unfolds and teams vie for a spot in the last-16, football enthusiasts worldwide will be eagerly awaiting the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations to witness the battles, drama, and surprises that this prestigious event always delivers.