The kickoff of the African Cup of Nations AFCON 2023 is set for Saturday, January 13, with hosts Ivory Coast facing Guinea-Bissau in Abidjan for the tournament’s opening match. The Alassane Ouattara Stadium will not only host the inaugural game but also be the venue for the showdown on Sunday, February 11. For a comprehensive guide to the Africa Cup of Nations 2023, here’s everything you need to know. This includes the tournament dates, team groups, match fixtures, kick-off times, host cities, and a rundown of past champions.
When the Tournament is Starting and Where?
The kickoff for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled for Saturday, January 13, marking Ivory Coast’s second time hosting the finals. The tournament starts as the hosts, facing Guinea-Bissau in Abidjan, set the stage for the event. Spanning nearly a month, the 34th edition concludes at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, culminating where it all began on Sunday, February 11.
What is it all about?
The 2023 Afcon marks the 34th edition of the biennial competition overseen by the Confederation of African Football. Ivory Coast will host the event for the second time, with their last hosting in 1984. Senegal holds the title as the defending champions. The tournament’s mascot, named Akwaba (meaning “welcome” in Baoule), embodies a footballing elephant. Puma has designed the match ball, named Pokou after Laurent Pokou, the Ivorian striker famed for scoring five goals in a single game during the 1970 tournament.
AFCON 2023 Group Stages
The 24 participating teams have been divided into six groups of four, presenting the following line-up:
Group A
Ivory Coast
Nigeria
Equatorial Guinea
Guinea-Bissau.
Group B:
Ghana
Cape Verde
Mozambique.
Group C of AFCON 2023
Senegal,
Cameroon
Guinea
The Gambia.
Group D:
Algeria
Burkina Faso
Mauritania
Angola.
Group E:
Tunisia
Mali
South Africa
Namibia.
Group F:
Morocco
DR Congo
Zambia,
Tanzania.
Stadiums and their Capacities
The 52 matches of the tournament will unfold across six stadiums. Among them, two are situated in Abidjan, while one each is located in Bouake, Korhogo, San Pedro, and Yamoussoukro.
Here’s a rundown of the stadiums and their capacities:
Alassane Ouattara Stadium (Abidjan) – Capacity: 60,000
Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium (Abidjan) – Capacity: 33,000
Stade de la Paix (Bouake) – Capacity: 40,000
Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium (Korhogo) – Capacity: 20,000
Laurent Pokou Stadium (San Pedro) – Capacity: 20,000
Charles Konan Banny Stadium (Yamoussoukro) – Capacity: 20,000
Participating Teams in AFCON 2023
A total of 24 teams will be participating in the upcoming tournament, marking the first instance since the 2015 edition where no debutant nations join the competition. Seventeen teams that partook in the most recent 2021 edition are poised to return for this event.
The participating teams are:
- Ivory Coast
- Morocco
- Algeria
- South Africa
- Senegal
- Burkina Faso
- Tunisia
- Egypt
- Zambia
- Equatorial Guinea
- Nigeria
- Guinea-Bissau
- Cape Verde
- Mali
- Guinea
- Ghana
- Angola
- Tanzania
- Mozambique
- DR Congo
- Mauritania
- Gambia
- Cameroon
- Namibia
Players to Watch in AFCON 2023
Mohamed Salah
The acclaimed “Egyptian King” from Liverpool enters the tournament in peak condition, showcasing his finest form in recent memory. His instrumental role in propelling the Reds to the summit of the Premier League was punctuated by an outstanding performance in the 4-2 victory over Newcastle. With Salah displaying such prowess, Egypt holds optimistic aspirations for a deep run in the tournament.
Mohammed Kudus in AFCON 2023
Ghana’s midfield sensation from West Ham arrives at the tournament amid a splendid run in the Premier League. Initially grappling for playing time following his transfer from Ajax, Kudus has emerged as a pivotal figure at the London Stadium. His stellar performances have propelled the Hammers into the top six while steering them through the Europa League’s knockout stages.
Serhou Guirassy
At 27, the Guinea striker is generating considerable interest following an impressive season kick-off at Stuttgart in the Bundesliga. Guirassy’s remarkable tally of 19 goals in 16 games across various competitions has propelled his club into contention for Champions League spots. This outstanding form has captured the attention of numerous Premier League clubs.
Victor Boniface
Another rising African striker making waves in the Bundesliga, 22-year-old Victor Boniface has been instrumental in Bayer Leverkusen’s surge to the league’s summit. His exceptional record of 16 goals and eight assists in 23 games this season has propelled Leverkusen into the Europa League’s last 16. Joining forces with Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, Boniface is set to form a potent attacking trio for Nigeria.
Wilfried Singo
While the host nation Ivory Coast might not boast the same strength they did during the era of legends like Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure, their lineup features an outstanding right full-back in Singo. Following his transfer from Torino to Monaco last summer, Singo has been a revelation, showcasing exceptional form. His stellar performances hint at potential interest from prominent clubs should he sustain this level of play.
Fixtures and Schedule for AFCON 2023
Group Stage Matches
| Date | Group/Stage | Match | Venue | Time |
| 2 pm | Group A | Ivory Coast vs Guinea-Bissau | Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan | 8pm |
| Saturday, January 13 | Group A | Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea | Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan | 8 pm |
| Sunday, January 14 | Group B | Egypt vs Mozambique | Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan | Sunday, January 14 |
| Sunday, January 14 | Group B | Ghana vs Cape Verde | Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan | Monday, January 15 |
| Monday, January 15 | Group C | Senegal vs The Gambia | Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro | 8 pm |
| Monday, January 15 | Group C | Cameroon vs Guinea | Yamoussoukro | 2 pm |
| Monday January 15 | Group D | Algeria vs Angola | Stade de la Paix, Bouake | 5 pm |
| 2 pm | Group D | Burkina Faso vs Mauritania | Bouake | 5 pm |
| Tuesday, January 16 | Group E | Tunisia vs Namibia | Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Korhogo | 8 pm |
| Tuesday, January 16 | Group E | Mali vs South Africa | Korhogo | Wednesday, January 17 |
| Wednesday, January 17 | Group F | Morocco vs Tanzania | Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pedro | 8 pm |
| Wednesday January 17 | Group F | DR Congo vs Zambia | San Pedro | 5 pm |
| Tuesday, January 16 | Group A | Equatorial Guinea vs Guinea-Bissau | Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan | 8 pm |
| 2 pm | Group A | Ivory Coast vs Nigeria | Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan | Thursday, January 18 |
| Friday, January 19 | Group B | Egypt vs Ghana | Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan | 5 pm |
| Thursday, January 18 | Group B | Cape Verde vs Mozambique | Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan | 8 pm |
| Friday, January 19 | Group C | Senegal vs Cameroon | Yamoussoukro | 2 pm |
| 2 pm | Group C | Guinea vs The Gambia | Yamoussoukro | 5 pm |
| Friday, January 19 | Group D | Algeria vs Burkina Faso | Bouake | 8 pm |
| Saturday, January 20 | Group D | Mauritania vs Angola | Bouake | Saturday, January 20 |
| Sunday, January 21 | Group E | Tunisia vs Mali | Korhogo | 5 pm |
| Sunday, January 21 | Group F | Morocco vs DR Congo | San Pedro | 5 pm |
| Sunday, January 21 | Group F | Zambia vs Tanzania | San Pedro | 8 pm |
| Saturday, January 20 | Group E | South Africa vs Namibia | Korhogo | 2 pm |
| 5 pm | Group A | Equatorial Guinea vs Ivory Coast | Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan | 8 pm |
| Monday, January 22 | Group A | Guinea-Bissau vs Nigeria | Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan | 5pm |
| Monday, January 22 | Group B | Cape Verde vs Egypt | Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan | 8 pm |
| 8 pm | Group B | Mozambique vs Ghana | Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan | 5 pm |
| Monday, January 22 | Group C | The Gambia vs Cameroon | Bouake | 5 pm |
| Tuesday, January 23 | Group C | Guinea vs Senegal | Yamoussoukro | Tuesday, January 23 |
| Tuesday, January 23 | Group D | Angola vs Burkina Faso | Yamoussoukro | 8 pm |
| 8 pm | Group D | Mauritania vs Algeria | Bouake | 5 pm |
| Tuesday, January 23 | Group E | Namibia vs Mali | San Pedro | Wednesday, January 24 |
| Wednesday January 24 | Group E | South Africa vs Tunisia | Korhogo | 5 pm |
| Wednesday, January 24 | Group F | Tanzania vs DR Congo | Korhogo | 5 pm |
| Wednesday, January 24 | Group F | Zambia vs Morocco | San Pedro | 8 pm |
Second Round AFCON 2023 Matches
| Saturday January 27 | Second Round | Group D Winner vs 3rd Place Group B/E/F | Bouake | 5pm |
| Sunday, January 28 | Second Round | Group A Second Place vs Group C Second Place | Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan | 5 pm |
| Sunday, January 28 | Second Round | Group A Winner vs 3rd Place Group C/D/E | Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan | 8 pm |
| Sunday January 28 | Second Round | Group B Second Place vs Group F Second Place | San Pedro | 5 pm |
| 8 pm | Second Round | Group B Winner vs 3rd Place Group A/C/D | Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan | 8 pm |
| Monday January 29 | Second Round | Group C Winner vs 3rd Place Group A/B/F | Yamoussoukro | 5 pm |
| Monday, January 29 | Second Round | Group E Winner vs Group D Second Place | Korhogo | 8 pm |
| Tuesday, January 30 | Second Round | Group F Winner vs Group E Second Place | San Pedro | 5 pm |
Quarter Finals to Finals
| Friday February 2 | Quarter-finals | Winner SR2 vs Winner RS1 | Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan | 8 pm |
| Saturday, February 3 | Quarter-finals | Winner SR4 vs Winner SR3 | Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan | 5 pm |
| 8 pm | Quarter-finals | Winner SR7 vs Winner RS6 | Bouake | Friday, February 2 |
| Wednesday, February 7 | Quarter-finals | Winner SR5 vs Winner SR8 | Yamoussoukro | 5 pm |
| 8 pm | Semi-finals | Winner QF1 vs Winner QF4 | Bouake | 8 pm |
| Saturday, February 3 | Semi-finals | Winner QF3 vs Winner QF2 | Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan | Wednesday, February 7 |
| Saturday February 10 | Third place play-off | Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan | Saturday, February 10 | |
| Sunday February 11 | Final | Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan | 8pm |
Prize Money
The tournament champions will be awarded $5 million, while the runner-up will receive $3 million. Teams reaching the semi-finals but not qualifying for the finals will receive $2.5 million each.