Afcon 2023: Holders Senegal drawn with Cameroon while Nigeria meet hosts Ivory Coast

Afcon 2023: Current Champions Senegal to Face Cameroon, While Nigeria Takes on Hosts Ivory Coast

In a grand ceremony held in Abidjan, the stage was set for the draw of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, and it didn’t disappoint. The defending champions, Senegal, who triumphed in the 2021 tournament by beating Egypt in a thrilling final, have been drawn into Group C. In this tantalizing group, they will face a formidable challenge from Cameroon, their neighbors The Gambia, and Guinea.

The ceremony was nothing short of star-studded, with the charismatic Sadio Mane, the former Liverpool forward and a key figure in Senegal’s football success, playing a part in the draw. Mane couldn’t help but acknowledge the challenges that lie ahead, saying, “It’s a really difficult group. Cameroon is going to be really tough, but we will give our best to go through in the first round.”

If you thought the excitement ended there, think again. World Cup semi-finalists and 2025 hosts, Morocco, were also part of the draw and find themselves in Group F. They are the highest-placed team in FIFA’s rankings at 13th and will contend with DR Congo, Zambia, and Tanzania. Achraf Hakimi, a standout talent in the 2021 Afcon Team of the Tournament, expressed his optimism: “We will try to do our best during this Afcon, similar to what we did in the World Cup. We have a good team, a good group, and we will do our best to win.”

But the drama didn’t stop there. Two-time African Footballer of the Year, Didier Drogba, representing Ivory Coast, and Jon Mikel Obi, a 2013 Afcon winner with Nigeria, were part of the draw. And fate had an interesting twist for them, as the two nations were drawn together. Hosts Ivory Coast, winners in 1992 and 2015, will kick off the tournament on 13 January against Guinea-Bissau, with Equatorial Guinea completing the group.

One group that’s bound to grab the attention of football enthusiasts is Group E, featuring neighboring South Africa and Namibia alongside Tunisia and Mali. This group promises fierce competition and will keep fans on the edge of their seats.

Meanwhile, Mozambique, making their return to the finals after an absence since 2010, will compete in Group B alongside Mohamed Salah’s Egypt, a team that narrowly missed out on an eighth title in the 2021 final to Senegal, along with Ghana and Cape Verde.

Originally slated for June and July 2023, the tournament was rescheduled due to concerns about the rainy season. The event will be hosted across two stadiums in the Ivorian capital Abidjan, one in Bouake, and three newly constructed venues in Korhogo, San Pedro, and Yamoussoukro.

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations features 24 teams and runs from 13 January to 11 February. The format allows the winners and runners-up from each of the six groups, along with the best four third-placed teams, to advance to the knockout phase. It’s important to note that despite the event being played in 2024, it retains 2023 in its official title.

The highly anticipated final will be held at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan on 11 February.

Africa Cup of Nations 2023 Draw Recap:

Group A: Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau.
Group B: Egypt, Ghana, Cape Verde, Mozambique.
Group C: Senegal, Cameroon, Guinea, The Gambia.
Group D: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Angola.
Group E: Tunisia, Mali, South Africa, Namibia.
Group F: Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia, Tanzania.

Get ready for a spectacular showcase of footballing talent, as these teams battle it out for continental glory!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Afcon 2023 Draw

What is Afcon 2023, and who are the defending champions?

Afcon 2023, the African Cup of Nations, is a prestigious football tournament in Africa. The defending champions are Senegal, who won the 2021 edition by defeating Egypt in the final.

Who were the notable teams drawn in Group C with Senegal?

In Group C, Senegal will face strong competition from Cameroon, as well as their neighbors, The Gambia and Guinea.

Which team is the highest-placed in FIFA’s rankings in the 2023 Afcon?

Morocco, a World Cup semi-finalist and the 2025 World Cup host, is the highest-placed team in FIFA’s rankings at 13th.

Who are some of the football legends and players involved in the draw?

The draw ceremony featured African football stars like Sadio Mane, Achraf Hakimi, Didier Drogba, and Jon Mikel Obi.

When will the 2023 Afcon take place, and why was it rescheduled?

The tournament is scheduled to run from January 13 to February 11, 2023. It was rescheduled due to concerns about playing it during the rainy season.

How does the tournament format work, and which teams advance to the knockout phase?

The 2023 Afcon features 24 teams, with the winners and runners-up from each of the six groups, along with the best four third-placed teams, advancing to the knockout phase.

Where will the final of Afcon 2023 be held?

The final of Afcon 2023 will be hosted at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan on February 11, 2023.

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