In a month-long spectacle, the world of football is set to rendezvous with Africa, as Côte d’Ivoire plays host to the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023.
The tournament is scheduled to unfold from January 13th to February 11th, marking the second time in history for the continent’s premier football competition to grace Ivorian soil.
Following its previous stint in 1984, Côte d’Ivoire prepares to once again embrace the enchantment of African football.
This edition promises football enthusiasts an exhilarating experience, defined by suspense, vibrant emotions, and beautiful play.
Over the period from January 13th to February 11th, the twenty-four African teams participating in this continental showcase, distributed across six groups, will lock horns, each with its sights set on clinching the coveted football title.
The battle for the championship is anticipated to be fierce among these teams, each striving to realize the significant dream of succeeding Senegal as the reigning monarchs of African football.
As the thirty-fourth edition of AFCON kicks off, football aficionados will turn their attention to the Hassan and Tara Stadium for the opening match between the host nation and Guinea-Bissau on Saturday, January 13th.
In addition to the Hassan and Tara Stadium, where AFCON 2024 will commence, five other stadiums have been prepared to host matches in this continental competition.
These include the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium (Abidjan), Peace Stadium (Bouaké), Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium (Korhogo), Charles Konan Banny Stadium (Yamoussoukro), and Laurent Pokou Stadium (San Pedro).
Regarding the competition’s format, during the group stage, the top two teams from each group and the best four third-placed teams among the twenty-four participating in AFCON 2024 will advance to the Round of 16.
Subsequently, the competition will progress through the quarter-finals, semi-finals, the third-place play-off, and the grand final.
The semi-final matches will take place on Wednesday, February 7th, followed by the third-place play-off on Saturday, February 10th, and the final on Sunday, February 11th, at the Hassan and Tara Stadium in Abidjan.
In addition to clinching the prestigious title of the most significant African football competition, the victorious team of AFCON 2024 will be awarded an exceptional sum of 7 billion dollars (6.4 million euros).
According to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), this marks a 40% increase from the prize money allocated to the previous AFCON winner.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe stated, “We have increased the AFCON prize to seven million US dollars, representing a 40% increase compared to the previous edition.
I am confident that part of this amount will contribute to the development of football and undoubtedly benefit all stakeholders involved in football, with a keen focus on assisting our affiliated associations in managing their affairs.”
Furthermore, the team reaching the final of AFCON 2024 will receive four million dollars, while the two teams reaching the semi-finals will share 2.5 million dollars each.
Teams reaching the quarter-finals will each receive 1.3 million dollars.
