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The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Côte d’Ivoire 2023 took place from January 13 to February 11, 2024. This is the 34th edition of this competition which brings together the greatest talents of African football.
At the end of the qualification phase, which ended in September 2023. 24 teams managed to validate their participation in the competition. They all share the same dream. To shine in the biggest continental football competition and why not lift the trophy they were able to admire during the draw on October 12, 2023 in Abidjan.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗘. 😮💨
🇳🇬 Nigeria 🆚 Côte d’Ivoire 🇨🇮
We’re finally at the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 final stop! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/dk3AtUoXh2
— CAF (@CAF_Online) February 7, 2024
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For its part, Côte d’Ivoire welcomed all participants to the 5 host cities: Abidjan (Groups A and B), Yamoussoukro (Group C), Bouaké (Group D), Korhogo (Group E) and San Pedro (Group F).
The 24 countries (team) that partook in this tournament are Cote d’Ivoire. Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Egypt, Ghana, Cape Verde. Mozambique, Senegal, Cameroon, Guinea, The Gambia, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania. Angola, Tunisia, Mali, South Africa, Namibia, Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia, Tanzania.
Hosts Ivory Coast will look for their third AFCON title as Nigeria target their fourth.
Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro has sought to play down his side’s tag as favourites for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations crown while talking up his misfiring African footballer of the year Victor Osimhen.
The Super Eagles face the hosts, Ivory Coast, who they beat 1-0 in the group stage in the final at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan on Sunday.
The Elephants were nearly eliminated at the first hurdle having also lost to Equatorial Guinea in the final group-stage match. They parted company with their manager Jean-Louis Gasset while they awaited clarification as to whether they would progress as one of the four best third-placed finishers.
“There is no favourite for the final,” insisted the Portuguese coach. “Each side has a 50 percent chance, but we are determined to win this final.”
Osimhen, meantime, has previously received praise from his coach for his work rate and performances at the tournament.
The Napoli striker earned his side a point in Nigeria’s opening match against Equatorial Guinea but has yet to find the net again.
“He doesn’t play like he is the star. He fights for the team and is completely unselfish,” said Peseiro.
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“Osimhen knows he is an important player and he gives us the best energy. He has suffered a lot in this tournament with all the attention he receives from the opposing defenders because he knows it is a team game.”
Ivory Coast’s interim coach Emerse Fae was not his country’s first choice to replace the outgoing Gasset yet now he leads his country in the final.
Now Fae can now join an elite list of Africa Cup of Nations-winning managers just weeks after taking charge of a senior match for the first time.
It would be an extraordinary achievement for the 40-year-old French-born former Ivorian international, who played for his country in the 2006 final – albeit on the losing side.
He had been assistant to Gasset over the last 18 months so was well versed in what happened and what needed to be done.
A celebration we 🫶 to see! 🥳🤭🇨🇮#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/B0VhlKkDq5
— CAF (@CAF_Online) February 9, 2024
“We had difficult days emotionally and mentally and we came through the back door,” admitted Fae. “Losing 4-0 at home was terrible, and then afterwards we had to wait. Honestly, it was very difficult to work, to heal the wounds while crossing your fingers.”
Fae made several key changes and the Ivorians showed impressive mental fortitude in overcoming holders Senegal. In the last 16 and neighbours Mali in the quarterfinal, coming from behind in both matches.
Their semifinal victory over the Democratic Republic of the Congo continued the comeback. Local press have dubbed Fae the “Special One”.
“No, no, no, that’s not true.” He replied on Saturday when asked about the tag first used for Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho.
“It has been a collective to get us all here.”
