AFCON 2023 - The African Mirror

Jan

14

2024

TotalEnergies AFCON2024: Hosts Cote d’Ivoire open with impressive win over Guinea Bissau

AFCON 2023

IN a fervent stadium atmosphere electrified by the passionate cheers of local fans, Côte d'Ivoire commenced their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations journey with a resounding victory, triumphing 2-0 over Guinea-Bissau in Saturday night's inaugural match in the capital Abidjan. The Elephants wasted no time in establishing dominance on their home turf, the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara, seizing the lead a mere four minutes into the encounter through the prowess of Seko Fofana. The Lens midfielder seized upon a loose ball outside the box, unleashing a sublime strike that soared beyond the grasp of goalkeeper Jonas Mendes. Fofana, displaying…

Jan

13

2024

By MARK GLEESON

Perennial club versus country tug of war continues as Cup of Nations kicks off

AFCON 2023

NIGERIA will allow striker Terem Moffi to play for French club Nice at the weekend before he heads to the Africa Cup of Nations but Cameroon are blocking teenager Regis Mughe from turning out for Marseille after he refused a call-up to the finals. The two contrasting approaches come in the perennial club versus country battle that marks the two-yearly tournament. The Cup of Nations, which kicks off in Abidjan on Saturday, is being held mid-season and FIFA rules mean clubs must give up their players for the continental championship even if they then miss crucial domestic games over the…

Jan

14

2024

By The African Mirror

Cameroon captain to stay on at Cup of Nations after ‘minor injury’

AFCON 2023

CAMEROON captain Vincent Aboubakar was hurt in training but will stay with the squad at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ivory Coast in the hope that he recovers, officials said. Aboubakar underwent scans on Saturday on a left thigh injury suffered in training on Friday, but initial concerns that he might be forced out of the tournament were played down after the examination. "It is a minor injury not affecting the player's participation in the competition. As a result, he continues his preparation under the supervision of the medical team, indicating a return very soon to the group,”…

Jan

14

2024

By MARK GLEESON

Morocco happy with extra time to acclimatise to Cup of Nations heat

AFCON 2023

THE Morocco squad's decision to arrive early at the Africa Cup of Nations finals and acclimatise to the hot and humid conditions will work in their favour, coach Walid Regragui said. The pre-tournament favourites, who became the first African side to reach the World Cup semi-final in Qatar some 14 months ago, arrived in Ivory Coast last Sunday as the first of the visiting competitors. They will have had 10 days to get used to conditions in the coastal town by the time they play their opening Group F match. "We are very happy to have come much earlier. We…

Jan

12

2024

By BONFACE ORUCHO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Countdown to AFCON 2023 as the ultimate African football showdown nears

AFCON 2023

FOOTBALL enthusiasts from across the continent are gearing up for an electrifying kickoff as the countdown to AFCON 2023, one of Africa's most fiercely competitive football tournaments, nears its end. Set in Cote d'Ivoire for the first time since 1984, the 34th edition of the action-packed tournament spans from Saturday, January 13 to February 11. This 24-team showdown unites the continent's football elites, stars like Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah from English Premier League club Liverpool and Super Eagles' Victor Osimhen, recently honored as the best African male footballer by CAF. The clash of these titans promises enthralling entertainment for millions…

Jan

13

2024

By The African Mirror

Sadiq latest Nigeria injury casualty ahead of AFCON

AFCON 2023

NIGERIA has been dealt a further injury blow ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations finals after striker Umar Sadiq was ruled out of the tournament due to a knee problem and replaced by Paul Onuachu, officials confirmed on Friday. Nigeria have already lost forward Victor Boniface and midfielder Wilfred Ndidi due to injury, while striker Kelechi Iheanacho has had a muscle problem and is expected to arrive in the Ivory Coast on Saturday. Real Sociedad striker Sadiq had been a doubt for some time with his knee injury but was officially ruled out two days before Nigeria opens their tournament against Equatorial Guinea…

Jan

13

2024

By MARK GLEESON

Hosts Ivory Coast face forward problems ahead of Cup of Nations opener

AFCON 2023

HOSTS Ivory Coast will have to do without striker Sebastian Haller in the Africa Cup of Nations opener against Guinea Bissau as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury, coach Jean-Louis Gasset said. The availability of the 29-year-old Borussia Dortmund striker for their second game in Group A against Nigeria next week was also up in the air, the coach added. There were also fitness concerns for forward Nicolas Pepe, who was recalled to the squad after being dropped last year but is struggling with a knee injury, Gasset said. "Pepe played 30 minutes in last Saturday’s friendly (a…

Jan

12

2024

By The African Mirror

Gambia team in emergency landing scare on way to Cup of Nations

AFCON 2023

GAMBIA coach Tom Saintfiet said he and his players feared for their lives after the plane taking them to the Africa Cup of Nations finals made an emergency landing, delaying their arrival at the tournament in the Ivory Coast. Gambia’s squad set off from Banjul on Wednesday on a short trip to Yamoussoukro, where they will play their opening two group games, but minutes after take-off they turned around because of a lack of oxygen inside the plane, he said. “Luckily for us, the pilot recognised the problem and after nine minutes in the air turned around to land again.…

Jan

12

2024

By HATEM MAHER

Attack-minded Egypt enter AFCON with renewed confidence

AFCON 2023

EGYPT hope a new attacking approach will bear fruit as they launch a fresh bid to win a record-extending eighth Africa Cup of Nations title in the Ivory Coast, putting behind them the disappointment of two recent near misses. They kick off their campaign against Mozambique in Abidjan on Sunday, having had to settle for silver medals in 2017 and 2021, with a shock round of 16 loss to South Africa on home soil in 2019. Both recent final appearances were achieved via stout defensive displays as Argentine coach Hector Cuper and Portuguese boss Carlos Queiroz made this the foundation…

Jan

12

2024

By The African Mirror

Africa Cup of Nations winners

AFCON 2023

A list of the winners of the Africa Cup of Nations (host countries in parentheses) 1957 – Egypt (Sudan) 1959 – Egypt (Egypt) 1962 – Ethiopia (Ethiopia) 1963 – Ghana (Ghana) 1965 – Ghana (Tunisia) 1968 – Congo-Kinshasa (Ethiopia) 1970 – Sudan (Sudan) 1972 – Congo (Cameroon) 1974 – Zaire (Egypt) 1976 – Morocco (Ethiopia) 1978 – Ghana (Ghana) 1980 – Nigeria (Nigeria) 1982 – Ghana (Libya) 1984 – Cameroon (Ivory Coast) 1986 – Egypt (Egypt) 1988 – Cameroon (Morocco) 1990 – Algeria (Algeria) 1992 – Ivory Coast (Senegal) 1994 – Nigeria (Tunisia) 1996 – South Africa (South Africa) 1998…