Kick-off, final match dates confirmed for 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire

Dates for the kick-off and final matches at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled for Cote d’Ivoire have been officially confirmed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Supreme reports that the opening match of the competition is scheduled to take place on Jan. 13 at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan.

The four-week tournament, which will involve Africa’s best 24 national teams, will officially conclude on Feb. 11.

This will be the 34th edition of the competition which began in 1957 and it is returning to Cote d’Ivoire for the second time.

It was first held there in 1984, with Cameroon emerging as winners for the first time.

Already, the AFCON 2023 Qualifiers are approaching the business end, and the road to Cote D’Ivoire is gradually taking shape for Africa’s biggest football spectacle.

Following the thrilling fourth round of qualifiers few days ago, six countries have secured their places at the competition to join hosts Cote d’Ivoire.

They are Algeria, Morocco, South Africa, Tunisia, Burkina Faso and defending champions Senegal.

Meanwhile, CAF General Secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba has confirmed that the Final Draw of the 2023 AFCON will be held in September, with the date and venue to be confirmed in due course.