The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by Côte d’Ivoire from January 13 to February 11, marked a resounding success, as revealed by Veron Mosengo Omba, General Secretary of CAF.
The 34th edition demonstrated unprecedented financial prosperity, yielding a net profit of USD66 million—exponentially surpassing the USD5 million from the 2021 edition in Cameroon.
Veron emphasized that USD20 million of the profits would be directed towards Cote d’Ivoire’s women’s football development, a significant boost compared to previous editions.
The winner, Cote d’Ivoire, not only secured a USD7 million prize but also received an additional USD20 million for women’s football development—an essential step towards professionalizing the often-neglected category.
The success of the event was attributed to meticulous planning and efficient execution. Veron highlighted key indicators, including top-notch infrastructure, robust audience presence, valued sponsors, surpassing viewership expectations, exciting matches, high-quality refereeing, exemplary security, and a warm reception in Ivory Coast.
The post-AFCON legacy promises to benefit the host country through judicious infrastructure choices.
In the thrilling final, Cote d’Ivoire clinched victory against Nigeria (2-1) in a packed Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpé, boasting over 56,000 spectators.
The 2023 AFCON not only raised the bar for African football competitions but also left an enduring positive impact on Cote d’Ivoire’s football landscape.
