Nigeria to face Ivory Coast, Eq. Guinea as 2023 Afcon draws are made
Nigeria will face hosts Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau in Group after draws for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations were made on Thursday in Abidjan.
Nigeria, three-time winners, will be seeking a fourth Nations Cup crown at the continental showpiece in Ivory Coast in January.
Reigning champions, Senegal are locked in Group C with Cameroon, Guinea and The Gambia, while Egypt take on Ghana, Cape Verde and Mozambique in Group B.
The groups are set. ✅#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 is now ready to kick off in January! ????????⚽️ pic.twitter.com/Xxanb9FDzp
— CAF (@CAF_Online) October 12, 2023
The hosts Ivory Coast – winners in 1992 and 2015 – will open the tournament on 13 January against Guinea-Bissau, while Equatorial Guinea complete the group.
In other draw highlights, neighbours South Africa and Nambia have been drawn alongside Tunisia and Mali in Group E, which looks the most competitive of the tournament.
Originally scheduled to be held in June and July 2023, the tournament was moved because of concerns about playing it in the rainy season.
Two stadiums in the Ivorian capital Abidjan, one in Bouake plus three newly built venues in Korhogo, San Pedro and Yamoussoukro will be used in the tournament.
The Nations Cup which features 24 teams and runs from 13 January until 11 February, will see the winners and runners-up in each of the six groups, plus the best four third-placed teams, reach the knockout phase.
Despite now being played in 2024, it has kept 2023 as part of its official title.
The Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan will host the final on 11 February.
