In a surprising turn of events, MultiChoice SuperSport has reversed its decision and will now broadcast all 52 matches of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) live. Just a week ago, SuperSport had sent shockwaves through the continent by announcing it wouldn’t be broadcasting the prestigious tournament scheduled for January 13th to February 11th, 2024, in Ivory Coast.
In a U-turn, MultiChoice, the parent company of SuperSport, secured the broadcasting rights in collaboration with New World TV (NWTV), ensuring that football fanatics across Africa can enjoy every electrifying moment of the tournament.
Rendani Ramovha, SuperSport CEO, expressed delight, stating, “We are delighted to be able to showcase the best of African football live to our viewers.” Nimonka Kolani, Managing Director of NWTV, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of bringing happiness to African fans during the continent’s premier football competition.
DStv and GOtv subscribers across Africa can now cheer for their favorite teams, and Ghanaian fans can also enjoy the action on free-to-air channels such as GTV, GTV Sports Plus, and pay television broadcaster Startimes. The reversal ensures that football enthusiasts will have access to comprehensive coverage of AFCON 2023, adding excitement and anticipation to the upcoming tournament.
As the much-anticipated TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023 approaches, football enthusiasts are gearing up for a month-long spectacle of intense competition. Here’s everything you need to know about the 34th edition of Africa’s premier sporting event:
Hosts and Opening Match:
– Host Country: Côte d’Ivoire
– Opening Match: Côte d’Ivoire vs. Guinea-Bissau
– Date and Venue: Saturday, 13 January, Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.
Historic Context:
– Côte d’Ivoire is hosting the tournament for the first time since 1984.
Venue Overview:
– Matches will be held in six stadiums across five host cities: Abidjan, Bouake, Korogho, San Pedro, and Yamoussoukro.
Official Mascot:
– Named “Akwaba,” meaning “Welcome” in the Baoulé language.
– Represented by an elephant, Akwaba’s attire reflects Côte d’Ivoire’s home colors.
Official Match Ball:
– Named “Pokou” in honor of Ivorian football legend Laurent Pokou.
– Pokou achieved historic fame by scoring five goals in the 1970 tournament.
Official Song Celebration:
– The official song, “Akwaba,” features Yemi Alade, Mohamed Ramadan, and Ivorian band Magic System.
– A blend of afrobeat, rap, and zouglou captures the tournament’s musical essence.
Group Structure:
– 24 teams divided into six groups.
– Intriguing match-ups like Egypt vs. Ghana in Group B and Senegal vs. Cameroon in Group C.
Tournament Format:
– Top two teams in each group and the four best-ranked third-placed teams advance to the last 16.
– Followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals, a match for third place, and the grand finale.
Kick-off Times:
– Group stages feature at least two games each day at 14:00, 17:00, and 20:00 (all times GMT).
– Similar timings continue in the knockout stages starting on Saturday, 27 January.
Opening Weekend Highlights:
– Record seven-time champions Egypt vs. Mozambique in Group B.
– Defending champions Senegal kick off against The Gambia in Group C on Monday, 15 January.
Key Fixtures:
– Second Round: Commences on Saturday, 27 January, with intriguing matchups.
– Quarter-Finals: Friday, 2 February, featuring winners from the second round.
– Semi-Finals: Wednesday, 7 February, at Bouake and Alassane Ouattara Stadium.
– Third-Place Play-Off: Saturday, 10 February, at Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium.
– Grand Finale: Sunday, 11 February, at Alassane Ouattara Stadium.
Tournament Favorites:
– Senegal, the current champions, considered favorites despite key player movements.
– Other strong contenders include Morocco, Nigeria, Algeria, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Key Matches:
– Côte d’Ivoire vs. Nigeria: Group A clash on 18 January at Alassane Ouattara Stadium.
– Senegal vs. Cameroon: Group C heavyweight encounter on 20 January at Charles Konan Banny Stadium.
As the countdown to the kickoff continues, the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Côte d’Ivoire 2023, promises a month-long celebration of African football excellence, filled with drama, brilliance, and unforgettable moments. Get ready for a footballing spectacle!
In preparation for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Cote D’Ivoire 2023, the Ghanaian national football team, the Black Stars, commenced their nine-day training camp in Kumasi on January 2, 2024. The first day of training took place at the Dr. Kwame Kyei Sports Complex in Abrankese.
The decision to relocate the training from the Baba Yara Sports Stadium to the Dr. Kwame Kyei Sports Complex was made after a meticulous inspection by the technical team, led by Chris Hughton. The move was prompted by the unfavorable condition of the pitch at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
A total of 24 players participated in the opening training session, showcasing their skills and dedication. Among them were notable names like Joseph Wollacott, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Alidu Seidu, Denis Odoi, Kingsley Schindler, Gideon Mensah, Abdul Fatawu Hamid, Nicholas Opoku, and Daniel Amartey.
The comprehensive list of players also included Salisu Mohammed, Alexander Djiku, Baba Iddrisu, Elisha Owusu, Abdul Samed Salis, Richmond Lamptey, Majeed Ashimeru, Andre Ayew, Ransford Yeboah Koningsdorffer, Osman Bukari, Joseph Painstil, Ernest Nuamah, Antoine Semenyo, and Jonathan Sowah.
In addition to the training regimen, the Black Stars are scheduled to engage in an international friendly against Namibia on Monday, January 8, 2024. This match will serve as a crucial tune-up ahead of the AFCON tournament.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Black Stars gear up for the prestigious tournament in Cote D’Ivoire.
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