TotalEnergies AFCON sets to kick-off in Côte d’Ivoire on Saturday

The much-awaited TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations will kick off later today in Côte d’Ivoire in Abidjan as the home host nation takes on Guinea-Bissau in the AFCON opener. The tournament features star-studded teams such as Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Senegal, the hosts Côte d’Ivoire among others…

The delayed 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will kick off later today,Saturday, with hosts Ivory Coast taking on Guinea-Bissau in the tournament’s opener.

The two times champions Ivory Coast, will play against Guinea-Bissau at Abidjan’s 60,000-capacity Alassane Ouattara Stadium as they hope to make it a third trophy for the nation.

Established in 1957, the AFCON is Africa’s main international football competition.

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, previously postponed the football event from 20233 to 2024 due to adverse weather conditions in Ivory Coast.

With the competition getting underway in the West African country, Egypt is regarded as one of the favourites to win the competition after lifting the AFCON trophy seven times.

The Pharaohs are the only nation to win the prestigious competition three times consecutively in 2006, 2008, and 2010.

Cameroon are the second most successful team with five wins, followed by Ghana with four, Nigeria with three, and Ivory Coast, Algeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo with two each.

The Sadio Mane-led Senegal, the defending champions, are among the favourites, after their brilliant outing in the last edition.

The AFCON Winner’s Prize Money has been raised to $7,000,000, marking a remarkable 40% surge from the previous AFCON Prize Money.

The Runner-up in this prestigious competition will now receive an increased prize of $4,000,000. Each of the two Semi-finalists will be granted $ 2,500,000, and the four Quarter-finalists will receive $1,300,000 each