AFCON explainer as tournament kick-offs this weekend

Ivory Coast are hosting the AFCON for the first time since 1984

Ivory Coast are hosting the AFCON for the first time since 1984 Credit: PIxabay

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will begin this weekend and we have a short explainer for what is the 34th edition of this competition.

When will the AFCON take place this year?

The Africa Cup of Nations will take place from Saturday 13 January to Sunday 11 February 2023.

Where will the AFCON take place?

The tournament is being hosted in Ivory Coast. The host nation kick the tournament off playing in the opening game against Guinea-Bissau at Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe in Abidjan. 

The matches will be held in six stadiums across five host cities - Abidjan, Bouake, Korogho, San Pedro and Yamoussoukro. During the group stages, at least two games will be played each day at 14:00, 17:00, and 20:00 (all times GMT). 

What is the tournament format?

The 24 qualifying teams are divided into six groups of four teams each, with the top two teams in each group and the four best-ranked third-placed teams advancing to the last 16, followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final – oh and there is third place play-off too.

Who are the reigning champions?

Senegal won their very first AFCON when the tournament was held two years ago.



Their skipper Sadio Mane, speaking to CAFOnline, said: “Winning the AFCON was the best trophy I have ever won in my life and coming to do it again will be special and a big achievement. It’s been a dream to play in this competition since I was a kid."

Who are the most successful side in the competition?

Egypt, with seven wins, have earned the title of champions of Africa the most of any nation.

Is there any Irish interest in the tournament?

Yes and we aren’t just talking about the host nation having an inverse tricolour as their national flag.

Former Republic of Ireland player and assistant manager Chris Hughton is managing Ghana.



Also, Crumlin’s own Roberto ‘Pico’ Lopes will be playing in his second AFCON with Cape Verde the land of his father.

Lopes is currently at a pre-tournament training camp in Portugal before the Blue Sharks travel to Tunisia for a friendly ahead of the kick-off of the tournament in the Ivory Coast.

Cape Verde begin their group games against Ghana on the second day of the tournament, followed by a match against Mozambique on Friday 19 January before they conclude their group games against AFCON runners up last time out Egypt on Monday 22 January.

Which is the group of death?

That would be group C that contains current champions Senegal, six time winners Cameroon, Guinea and The Gambia.

What is the name of the match ball?

The official match ball is called "Pokou". It honours the late Ivorian football legend, Laurent Pokou, renowned for his historic achievement of scoring five goals in the 6-1 victory over Ethiopia during the 1970 tournament.

About Macdara Ferris

Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile