Next African Cup of Nations: A Preview of the 2023 Tournament
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Next African Cup of Nations: A Preview of the 2023 Tournament
The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) is the most prestigious football competition in Africa, bringing together the best national teams from across the continent. The tournament is held every two years, and the next edition, AFCON 2023, is set to take place in Ivory Coast from June 23 to July 23, 2023.
Host Nation: Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast was awarded the hosting rights for AFCON 2023 in 2019. The country has a rich footballing history, having won the tournament twice, in 1992 and 2015. Ivory Coast is also known for its passionate football fans, who are sure to create a vibrant and electric atmosphere at the tournament.
Participating Teams
A total of 24 teams will participate in AFCON 2023. The teams were determined through a qualification process that took place from June 2022 to March 2023. The following teams have qualified for the tournament:
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Comoros
- Congo
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Ivory Coast (host)
- Kenya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- South Africa
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Format
The tournament will be played in a knockout format, with the 24 teams divided into six groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, which will consist of a round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and final.
Favorites
Several teams are considered favorites to win AFCON 2023, including:
- Senegal: The reigning champions and current FIFA World Cup quarterfinalists are led by star forward Sadio Mane and have a strong squad with a good blend of experience and youth.
- Algeria: The 2019 champions have a talented team with a mix of experienced players and rising stars. They are known for their strong defense and organized play.
- Egypt: Seven-time AFCON champions and led by the legendary Mohamed Salah, Egypt is always a threat in the tournament. They have a well-rounded team with quality in all areas of the pitch.
- Nigeria: Three-time AFCON champions and one of the most successful teams in the history of the tournament, Nigeria has a young and talented squad with a lot of potential.
- Morocco: The 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinalists have a strong team with a mix of domestic-based and European-based players. They are known for their attacking style of play.
Underdogs
While the favorites are likely to be the teams to beat, there are several underdogs who could surprise at AFCON 2023, including:
- Comoros: The surprise package of the 2021 AFCON, Comoros will be looking to make another deep run in the tournament. They have a solid team with a good mix of experience and youth.
- Equatorial Guinea: The 2015 AFCON hosts are a dangerous team on their day. They have a number of talented players, including former Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin.
- Gabon: Led by star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabon has a talented squad with the potential to go far in the tournament.
- Madagascar: The 2019 AFCON quarterfinalists are a well-organized team with a strong defense. They will be looking to make another impact at the tournament.
Key Players
AFCON 2023 will feature some of the best players in Africa, including:
- Sadio Mane (Senegal)
- Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
- Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)
- Hakim Ziyech (Morocco)
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon)
- Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
- Mohamed Elneny (Egypt)
- Thomas Partey (Ghana)
- Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal)
- Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
Venues
AFCON 2023 will be played in six stadiums across Ivory Coast:
- Stade National de Côte d’Ivoire (Abidjan)
- Stade de Yamoussoukro (Yamoussoukro)
- Stade de Bouaké (Bouaké)
- Stade de San Pedro (San Pedro)
- Stade de Korhogo (Korhogo)
- Stade de Daloa (Daloa)
Expectations
AFCON 2023 is expected to be a highly competitive and entertaining tournament. The host nation, Ivory Coast, will be looking to make a deep run and potentially win their third AFCON title. The reigning champions, Senegal, will be determined to defend their crown, while other contenders like Algeria, Egypt, and Nigeria will be hoping to add to their trophy cabinets.
With a talented pool of players and a passionate fan base, AFCON 2023 promises to be a memorable and unforgettable event for African football fans and beyond.
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