As the largest event on the African continent prepares to debut in Ivory Coast on January 13, 2024, both Africa and the rest of the world are getting ready. The 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be held in Ivory Coast in 2023.
After being awarded the hosting rights in 2021, Ivory Coast had to wait an additional three years to host the competition. The games will take place in six different stadiums in cities, including Abidjan, San Pedro Yamoussoukro, Korhogo, and Bouake.
In 1957, Sudan hosted the first AFCON, which saw record-holder Egypt defeat Ethiopia and Sudan among the other participating countries to win the maiden competition.
Samuel Eto’o from Cameroon is the top goal scorer in AFCON history with 18 goals, while Laurent Pokou of Ivory Coast sits second with 14.
Only 14 nations have taken home the trophy in prior editions as the winners. Out of the 14 nations, Egypt has taken home seven trophies, followed by Cameroon with five and Ghana with four.
Ghana is one of the participating nations in the AFCON 2023, having advanced to multiple finals and won the trophy on most of their occasions. After waiting 41 years for Ghana to receive its fifth title, the Black Stars made history in 1963, 1965, 1968, and 1970 when they qualified for the finals four times in a row. Ghana won two of those four finals, in 1963 and 1965.
Will Ghana dominate Group B? If the four-time champion desires to top Group B, Ghana will have to tackle some challenging questions from Egypt, the record seven-time champion.
Senegal surprised Egypt in the 33rd edition’s finals, which gave them motivation to perform better in the 34th edition.
On the other hand, Morocco, the enviable African nation, is tipped as the clear favorite to win the 34th Africa Cup of Nations, having performed well at the last World Cup in Qatar. The Atlas Lions hope to improve upon their 1976 tournament victory.
