Get Ready for AFCON 2023 Group Stage Showdowns: Ivory Coast vs. Nigeria, Ghana vs. Egypt, Senegal vs. Cameroon, and More

October 14, 2023

The draw for the 2023 African Cup of Nations was a success: all 24 teams, including the host country, discovered their opponents in the group stage.

The draw for the 2023 African Cup of Nations...


Last night's event (12 October), which was attended by football legends, provided African football fans with exciting first-round matches.

The AFCON tournament is scheduled for January and February next year in Ivory Coast.


Defending champions Senegal hope to defend their title in Abidjan but will face stiff competition from many of the teams that qualified for the tournament.


During last night's draw (24 October), 24 African countries were divided into six groups of four, CAF announced on its social media.


Here are the five best group-stage games after the CAN 2023 draw:

Ivory Coast vs Nigeria

Group A will treat fans to the first major game of the competition when hosts Ivory Coast face Nigeria. The two nations have a combined five AFCON titles, with the Elephants winning twice and the Super Eagles winning their third title in 2013.

Ivory Coast and Nigeria are among the best talents on the continent. Victor Osimhen is considered one of the best strikers in the world, while Sébastien Haller and Wilfried Zaha will play for Ivory Coast.


Ghana vs Egypt

The two countries have won 11 CAN titles and are among the pioneers of football on the continent.

The match also has a historical context with the Black Stars seeking revenge against the Pharaohs, the team that prevented them from winning their fifth title in the competition.

Egypt will enter the tournament with arguably the continent's best player in Mohamed Salah, while Ghana has a rising star who could rival Mohammed Kudus.


Senegal vs Cameroon

Senegal seems to really like Cameroon, the country where they won their first CAN title. However, the Indomitable Lions are the second most successful footballing nation on the continent, having won the tournament five times.

Veteran Cameroon striker Vincent Aboubakar could make his final appearance of the tournament and will be ready to help his team beat the Terango Lions and their star Sadio Mané.


Algeria x Burkina Faso

After a disappointing CAN 2021, Algeria will return to full steam ahead but will have to deal with a stubborn Burkina Faso team, which has been a constant in recent tournaments.

Riyad Mahrez aims to return to the podium with the last dance in Ivory Coast. However, Burkina Faso has some of the best young talent in Africa, and players like Ibrahim Sangnare are expected to flourish in CAN 2023.


Tunisia x Mali

This is one of the games that will decide Group F, which also includes South Africa and Namibia. Tunisia won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2004 and have been consistent since then, being knocked out of their group on several occasions.

However, they will face the perennial underdog: Mali, and this match could be a sleeper for CAN 2023.


Ghana drew with seven-time champions Egypt on four-time champions, Ghana's qualification from Group B of the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast.

The Black Stars will face seven-time champions Egypt, as well as West African rivals Cape Verde and Mozambique.

Ghana are aiming for a fifth CAN title after their last victory in 1982 and will rely on their young stars.

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