Ivory Coast has appointed an all-Beninese refereeing team to take charge of their sole AFCON 2023 warmup match on home soil, as the Elephants put finishing touches on preparations to impress as tournament hosts beginning January 13th.
With the Africa Cup of Nations now just over a week away, the Ivorian federation has drafted in a trio of officials from neighbouring Benin for their January 9th friendly against Sierra Leone.
Veteran central referee Tanislas Ahomlanto Dejinnanchi will hold the whistle in San Pedro, assisted by compatriots Narcisse Kouton and Detondji Dodometin occupying the lines. Ivorian FIFA-registered referee Clement Franklin Kpan completes the lineup.
The Elephants originally had a match scheduled against Mozambique to conclude their training camp. But after the southern Africans amended plans, Sierra Leone agreed to step in as late replacements.
Ivory Coast manager Jean-Louis Gasset will have one last chance to drill his provisional 27-man squad before finalising the roster to be submitted to CAF by January 3rd.
With an expectant nation demanding nothing less than triumph on home soil, the French tactician will use the Sierra Leone tune-up to assess which players demonstrate the steel and chemistry capable of conquering Africa.
Ivory Coast then launch their Group D campaign in Yamoussoukro versus Guinea-Bissau, part of a tricky early phase alongside former champions Nigeria and Africa’s top-rated team Egypt.
With Beninese officials set to govern proceedings next Friday evening, the Elephants must unleash their sharpest attacking tusks to send a statement of intent ringing around the continent.
