2023 AFCON: 14 nations now confirmed

Latest Update on the AFCON 2023

The thrilling weekend of CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Ivory Coast 2023 qualifiers saw more African football giants’ book their place in the continent’s biggest event set to take place between 13 January and 11 February 2024.

The qualification of most of the former African champions this past weekend is again another indication that the upcoming AFCON is likely to be one of the most successful events in the competition’s history.

There are still qualifier matches to be played on Tuesday as part of the Match Day Five fixture block.

Zambia steal the weekend headline with a five-star performance in Ndola

Zambia produced possibly the weekend’s most polished performance in front of their home fans in Ndola to secure an emphatic 3-0 victory against tournament hosts and former African champions, Ivory Coast. 

The results ensured that ‘Chipolopolo’, crowned champions in Gabon 2012, will return to Africa’s most-watched sports event after an eight-year absence. 

The week of the qualifiers started on a high note for another giant of African football, Egypt. The record-winners of the Africa Cup of Nations confirmed their place in next year’s tournament following a 2-1 victory over Guinea in Marrakech on Wednesday.

Equatorial Guinea stun Tunisia to register their place

In another match, a stoppage-time goal was enough for Equatorial Guinea, who beat Tunisia 1-0 on Saturday to secure their ticket for the AFCON for the second time in a row and a third appearance.

Nigeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, and Cape Verde also book their place

On Sunday, Cape Verde recorded an emphatic 3-1 victory over Burkina Faso to confirm their spot for Cote d’Ivoire.

Two second-half goals ensured Mali triumphed with a 2-0 win against Congo at the Stade Alphonse Massamba-Debat in Brazzaville to cement their place for the AFCON finals early next year.

Nigeria left it very late after a last-gasp winning goal saw them claim a 3-2 victory against Sierra Leone in Monrovia to add their name to the qualified nations for next year’s tournament.

Nigeria’s win over Sierra Leone also confirmed Guinea Bissau’s fourth straight qualification for the AFCON, having won their match against São Tomé and Príncipe by a 1-0 score line on Wednesday.

Hosts Ivory Coast, African champions Senegal, FIFA World Cup semi-finalists Morocco, former Champions Tunisia, Algeria, South Africa and the ever-impressive Burkina Faso all booked their places in March 2023.

The last round of qualifiers will be in September 2023.

Ivory Coast 2023 to kick-off on January 13, 2024

The 2023 AFCON will kick off on January 13, 2024 and run until February 11.

The event will take place in six different venues: Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara (56,000 seats) and Stade Felix Houphouet Boigny (28,000 seats), located in Abidjan. The remaining venues are Stade de Korhogo (20,000 seats), Stade de San Pedro (20,000 seats), Stade de Yamoussoukro (20,000 seats), and Stade de la Paix de Bouake (40,000 seats).

2023 AFCON Qualified Teams

·       Cote d’Ivoire (Hosts)

·       Morocco

·       Algeria

·       South Africa

·       Senegal

·       Burkina Faso

·       Tunisia

·       Egypt

·       Zambia

·       Equatorial Guinea

·       Nigeria

·       Cape Verde

·       Guinea Bissau

·       Mali

Stay updated with the latest AFCON developments! As 14 nations secure their spots, anticipation builds for the 2023 tournament. Do not forget to subscribe to our RSS feed and our website newsletter for ongoing coverage and exciting updates on the road to African football glory. You do not want to miss a moment of this exhilarating journey!

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