2023 Africa Cup of Nations Group A

Last updated

Group A of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations took place from 13 to 22 January 2024. [1] The group consisted of hosts Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, and Equatorial Guinea. [2]

Contents

Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria as the top two teams, along with Ivory Coast as one of the four best third-placed teams, advanced to the round of 16.[ citation needed ]

Teams

Draw positionTeamZoneMethod of
qualification
Date of
qualification
Finals
appearance
Last
appearance
Previous best
performance
FIFA Rankings
October 2023 [nb 1] December 2023
A1Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Ivory Coast WAFU Hosts and Group H runners-up30 January 201925th 2021 Winners (1992, 2015)5049
A2Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria WAFU Group A winners17 June 202320th 2021 Winners (1980, 1994, 2013)4042
A3Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea UNIFFAC Group J runners-up17 June 20234th 2021 Fourth place (2015)9288
A4Flag of Guinea-Bissau.svg  Guinea-Bissau WAFU Group A runners-up18 June 20234th 2021 Group stage (2017, 2019, 2021)106103

Notes

  1. The rankings of October 2023 were used for seeding for the final draw.

Standings

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea 321093+67 [lower-alpha 1] Advance to knockout stage
2Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 321031+27 [lower-alpha 1]
3Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Ivory Coast (H)31022533
4Flag of Guinea-Bissau.svg  Guinea-Bissau 30032750
Source: CAF
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Notes:
  1. 1 2 Tied on head-to-head points. Overall goal difference: Equatorial Guinea +6, Nigeria +2

Matches

All times are local, GMT (UTC±0).

Ivory Coast vs Guinea-Bissau

The two teams had met once before, a 4–1 victory for Ivory Coast in the 2001 WAFU Nations Cup qualifying round. [3] However, this match is not considered an “A” match by FIFA as the WAFU Nations Cup was a tournament in which national teams participated only with players from their local league. Therefore, this was the first international “A” match between the two teams. [4] Ivorian forwards Sébastien Haller and Simon Adingra were unavailable for this match due to injuries. [5] [6]

Ivory Coast got off to a dream start with a Seko Fofana goal from outside the box in the 4th minute after Bissau-Guinean defenders failed to clear it out. The Ivorians increasingly asserted domination and added their second in the 58th minute, when a deflected cross by Franck Kessié was intercepted by Jean-Philippe Krasso, who skilfully controlled and struck home a volley to seal the three points.[ citation needed ]

Ivory Coast  Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg2–0Flag of Guinea-Bissau.svg  Guinea-Bissau
Report
Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan
Attendance: 36,858 [7]
Referee: Amin Omar (Egypt)
Kit left arm civ22h.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body civ22h.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm civ22h.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts civ22h.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks civ22hl.png
Kit socks long.svg
Ivory Coast
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body guib2122a.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks guib2122a.png
Kit socks long.svg
Guinea Bissau
GK1 Yahia Fofana
RB5 Wilfried Singo Sub off.svg 46'
CB2 Ousmane Diomande Sub off.svg 77'
CB21 Evan Ndicka Yellow card.svg 29'
LB3 Ghislain Konan
DM18 Ibrahim Sangaré Yellow card.svg 45+2'Sub off.svg 90+1'
CM8 Franck Kessié (c)
CM6 Seko Fofana
RF13 Jérémie Boga
CF11 Jean-Philippe Krasso Sub off.svg 61'
LF9 Jonathan Bamba Sub off.svg 61'
Substitutions:
DF17 Serge Aurier Sub on.svg 46'
FW19 Nicolas Pépé Sub on.svg 61'
FW10 Karim Konaté Sub on.svg 61'
DF12 Willy Boly Sub on.svg 77'
MF25 Idrissa Doumbia Sub on.svg 90+1'
Coach:
Flag of France.svg Jean-Louis Gasset
GK12 Ouparine Djoco
RB15 Jefferson Encada
CB22 Opa Sanganté
CB4 Marcelo Djaló
LB2 Fali Candé
DM19 Janio Bikel
CM16 Moreto Cassamá Yellow card.svg 44'Sub off.svg 67'
CM8 Alfa Semedo (c)
RF14 Mauro Rodrigues Sub off.svg 75'
CF17 Mama Baldé Sub off.svg 85'
LF10 Carlos Mané Sub off.svg 67'
Substitutions:
FW3 Franculino Djú Sub on.svg 67'
MF13 Carlos Mendes Gomes Sub on.svg 67'
FW24 Zé Turbo Sub on.svg 75'
FW7 Dálcio Sub on.svg 85'
Coach:
Baciro Candé

Man of the Match:
Seko Fofana (Ivory Coast)

Assistant referees: [8]
Mahmoud Ahmed Kamel (Egypt)
Ahmed Hossam Taha (Egypt)
Fourth official:
Mohamed Maarouf (Egypt)
Video assistant referee:
Mohamed Ashour (Egypt)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Mahmoud Elbana (Egypt)

Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea

Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea met for the fourth time, with the first two meetings coming in six days in June 2008 during the second round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification phase, with Nigeria winning 1-0 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on June 15, 2008, and 2-0 in Abuja, Nigeria, on June 21, 2008. In addition, Nigeria defeated Equatorial Guinea 3-1 in a group stage finale at the 2018 African Nations Championship in Agadir, Morocco.

Equatorial Guinea proved more energetic over the early stages. It paid off in the 36th minute when Iban Salvador exquisitely guided the ball into the bottom corner from his position on the penalty spot. However, the lead was canceled out just two minutes later with a bullet header by Victor Osimhen from Ademola Lookman's floated delivery. Despite ramping up pressure later on, Nigeria failed to score and was forced to settle for a draw. [ citation needed ]

Nigeria  Flag of Nigeria.svg1–1Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea
Report
Kit left arm nga22h.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body nga22h.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm nga22h.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts nga22a.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks nga22h.png
Kit socks long.svg
Nigeria
Kit left arm eqg24t.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body eqg24t.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm eqg24t.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts macrontempel1wr.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks long.svg
Equatorial Guinea
GK23 Stanley Nwabili
RB2 Ola Aina Sub off.svg 83'
CB5 William Troost-Ekong (c)
CB6 Semi Ajayi
LB3 Zaidu Sanusi Yellow card.svg 65'Sub off.svg 83'
DM8 Frank Onyeka
RM15 Moses Simon Sub off.svg 69'
CM4 Alhassan Yusuf Sub off.svg 69'
CM17 Alex Iwobi Sub off.svg 90+4'
LM18 Ademola Lookman
CF9 Victor Osimhen
Substitutions:
FW11 Samuel Chukwueze Sub on.svg 69'
MF10 Joe Aribo Sub on.svg 69'
DF12 Bright Osayi-Samuel Sub on.svg 83'
DF21 Calvin Bassey Sub on.svg 83'
FW14 Kelechi Iheanacho Sub on.svg 90+4'
Coach:
Flag of Portugal.svg José Peseiro
GK1 Jesús Owono
RB15 Carlos Akapo
CB21 Esteban Obiang
CB16 Saúl Coco
LB11 Basilio Ndong
CM4 Federico Bikoro Yellow card.svg 26'
CM22 Pablo Ganet Sub off.svg 74'
RW6 Iban Salvador Sub off.svg 90+3'
AM7 José Machín Sub off.svg 86'
LW8 Jannick Buyla Sub off.svg 75'
CF10 Emilio Nsue (c)
Substitutions:
MF14 Álex Balboa Yellow card.svg 85'Sub on.svg 74'
FW26 José Nabil Ondo Sub on.svg 75'
MF20 Santiago Eneme Sub on.svg 86'
FW19 Luis Nlavo Sub on.svg 90+3'
Coach:
Juan Micha

Man of the Match:
Jesús Owono (Equatorial Guinea)

Assistant referees:
Souru Phatsoane (Lesotho)
Liban Abdourazak (Djibouti)
Fourth official:
Liban Abdourazak (Ethiopia)
Video assistant referee:
Lahlou Benbraham (Algeria)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Maria Rivet (Mauritius)

Equatorial Guinea vs Guinea-Bissau

The teams had only met each other once, a 3–0 win for Equatorial Guinea in a friendly in Portugal in 2022.

It was Equatorial Guinea who struck first in the 21st minute due to poor concentration by Janio Bikel, who allowed Emilio Nsue through, and he converted with an expertly taken one-on-one finish. However, the Bissau-Guineans did not long to equalize as Esteban Obiang, in an attempt to clear a pass from Mauro Rodrigues, deflected it into his net instead. The second half, though, saw Equatorial Guinea seize the game when Josete Miranda sublimely volleyed his side back ahead right at the beginning of the second half, before Nsue completed his hat trick, first slotting home his second goal at the back post courtesy of Basilio Ndong’s delicious delivery into the danger zone, before he clinically struck again ten minutes later. Zé Turbo scored a skillful goal in the second minute of extra time, but it proved too late for Guinea-Bissau.

At 34 years and 110 days, Emilio Nsue became the oldest player to score a hat trick at the Africa Cup of Nations. [10] Furthermore, the hat trick was also the first at an African Cup of Nations since Jan. 21, 2008, when Soufiane Alloudi recorded his hat trick in a 5-1 victory for Morocco against Namibia.

Combined with the later result between Ivory Coast and Nigeria, this result meant Guinea-Bissau had been eliminated from the group stages for the fourth consecutive Africa Cup of Nations without a win.

Equatorial Guinea  Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg4–2Flag of Guinea-Bissau.svg  Guinea-Bissau
Report
Kit left arm eqg24h.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body eqg24h.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm eqg24h.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts macrontempel1rw.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks long.svg
Equatorial Guinea
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body guib2122a.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks guib2122a.png
Kit socks long.svg
Guinea Bissau
GK1 Jesús Owono
RB15 Carlos Akapo Sub off.svg 80'
CB21 Esteban Obiang
CB16 Saúl Coco
LB11 Basilio Ndong
DM4 Federico Bikoro
RM6 Iban Salvador Sub off.svg 80'
CM7 José Machín
CM22 Pablo Ganet Sub off.svg 73'
LM17 Josete Miranda Sub off.svg 80'
CF10 Emilio Nsue (c)Sub off.svg 84'
Substitutions:
MF20 Santiago Eneme Sub on.svg 73'
DF3 Marvin Anieboh Sub on.svg 80'
FW19 Luis Nlavo Yellow card.svg 83'Sub on.svg 80'
MF8 Jannick Buyla Yellow card.svg 90+5'Sub on.svg 80'
FW18 Noé Ela Sub on.svg 84'
Coach:
Juan Micha
GK12 Ouparine Djoco
RB15 Jefferson Encada
CB4 Marcelo Djaló
CB20 Sori Mané (c)
LB2 Fali Candé
CM8 Alfa Semedo Sub off.svg 86'
CM19 Janio Bikel
CM16 Moreto Cassamá Sub off.svg 64'
RW14 Mauro Rodrigues Sub off.svg 77'
CF3 Franculino Djú Sub off.svg 77'
LW17 Mama Baldé Sub off.svg 63'
Substitutions:
FW11 Marciano Tchami Sub on.svg 63'
MF13 Carlos Mendes Gomes Sub on.svg 64'
FW24 Zé Turbo Sub on.svg 77'
FW7 Dálcio Sub on.svg 77'
MF10 Carlos Mané Sub on.svg 86'
Coach:
Baciro Candé

Man of the Match:
Emilio Nsue (Equatorial Guinea)

Assistant referees:
Dimbiniaina Andriatianarivelo (Madagascar)
Jonathan Ahonto (Togo)
Fourth official:
Imtehaz Heeralall (Mauritius)
Video assistant referee:
Haythem Guirat (Tunisia)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Peter Waweru (Kenya)

Ivory Coast vs Nigeria

The two national teams met each other for the first time since 2015, while the last time they played competitively back in 2013 had seen Nigeria win 2–1.

After a goalless first half with full of drama and ferocity from the hosts and Nigerians, a foul by Ousmane Diomande on Victor Osimhen resulted in William Troost-Ekong converting a penalty in the 55th minute, which secured Nigeria's win.

Ivory Coast  Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg0–1Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria
Report
Kit left arm civ22h.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body civ22h.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm civ22h.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts civ22h.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks civ22hl.png
Kit socks long.svg
Ivory Coast
Kit left arm nga22a.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body nga22a.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm nga22a.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts nga22h.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks nga22a.png
Kit socks long.svg
Nigeria
GK1 Yahia Fofana
RB21 Evan Ndicka
CB2 Ousmane Diomande
LB3 Ghislain Konan Sub off.svg 80'
DM6 Seko Fofana
RM17 Serge Aurier Sub off.svg 67'
CM8 Franck Kessié
CM20 Christian Kouamé Sub off.svg 67'
LM18 Ibrahim Sangaré
SS13 Jérémie Boga Sub off.svg 67'
CF11 Jean-Philippe Krasso Sub off.svg 84'
Substitutions:
FW19 Nicolas Pépé Sub on.svg 67'
FW9 Jonathan Bamba Sub on.svg 67'
DF5 Wilfried Singo Sub on.svg 67'
FW14 Oumar Diakité Sub on.svg 80'
DF10 Karim Konaté Sub on.svg 84'
Coach:
Flag of France.svg Jean-Louis Gasset
GK23 Stanley Nwabili Yellow card.svg 90+2'
RB2 Ola Aina
CB6 Semi Ajayi
CB5 William Troost-Ekong
LB3 Zaidu Sanusi Sub off.svg 80'
DM8 Frank Onyeka
DM21 Calvin Bassey
RW18 Ademola Lookman Sub off.svg 79'
AM17 Alex Iwobi
LW11 Samuel Chukwueze Sub off.svg 72'
CF9 Victor Osimhen Sub off.svg 88'
Substitutions:
FW15 Moses Simon Sub on.svg 72'
MF12 Bright Osayi-Samuel Sub on.svg 79'
DF22 Kenneth Omeruo Sub on.svg 80'
FW19 Paul Onuachu Sub on.svg 88'
Coach:
Flag of Portugal.svg José Peseiro

Man of the Match:
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)

Assistant referees:
Abbes Zerhouni (Algeria)
Nouha Bangoura (Senegal)
Fourth official:
Jean-Jacques Ndala (DR Congo)
Video assistant referee:
Lahlou Benbraham (Algeria)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Mokrane Gourari (Algeria)

Equatorial Guinea vs Ivory Coast

This was their second meeting at the AFCON, after their previous encounter back in 2021 where Ivory Coast won 1–0.

The Ivorians made a bright start but could not capitalise, and they were made to pay in the 42nd minute when Carlos Akapo was allowed to drive into the area and play a low pass across to Emilio Nsue who rolled the ball into the net. Ivory Coast thought they had an equaliser on the stroke of half time, but Ibrahim Sangaré was flagged offside. In the second half, Jean-Philippe Krasso found the back of the net yet he too was flagged offside. Pablo Ganet then struck a free kick in the 73rd minute to give Equatorial Guinea their second, before a counter-attack two minutes later saw Nsue secure the game for the Equatoguineans with a clinical finish after receiving the ball from José Machín. The Ivorians’ misery was completed when Jannick Buyla finished from a rebound in the 88th minute. [13]

This was Equatorial Guinea's biggest win in their AFCON history, while Ivory Coast had become the first host country to concede four goals at the group stages of an AFCON. Despite this humiliation, Ivory Coast still advanced past the group stages, thanked to Zambia losing 0–1 to Morocco in the Group F fixture.

Equatorial Guinea  Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg4–0Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Ivory Coast
Report
Kit left arm eqg24h.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body eqg24h.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm eqg24h.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts macrontempel1rw.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks long.svg
Equatorial Guinea
Kit left arm civ22a.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body civ22a.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm civ22a.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts civ22a.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks civ22al.png
Kit socks long.svg
Ivory Coast
GK1 Jesús Owono Yellow card.svg 45+5'
RB15 Carlos Akapo
CB21 Esteban Obiang
CB16 Saúl Coco
LB11 Basilio Ndong
RM6 Iban Salvador Sub off.svg 78'
CM22 Pablo Ganet Sub off.svg 85'
CM4 Federico Bikoro
LM17 Josete Miranda Yellow card.svg 12'Sub off.svg 56'
AM7 José Machín Sub off.svg 85'
CF10 Emilio Nsue (c)Sub off.svg 78'
Substitutions:
MF8 Jannick Buyla Sub on.svg 56'
FW27 Óscar Siafá Sub on.svg 78'
FW19 Luis Asué Sub on.svg 78'
MF20 Santiago Eneme Yellow card.svg 88'Sub on.svg 85'
MF14 Álex Balboa Sub on.svg 85'
Coach:
Juan Micha
GK1 Yahia Fofana
RB5 Wilfried Singo
CB12 Willy Boly Yellow card.svg 72'Sub off.svg 83'
CB21 Evan Ndicka
LB3 Ghislain Konan Sub off.svg 64'
CM18 Ibrahim Sangaré
CM8 Franck Kessié
CM6 Seko Fofana
RW14 Oumar Diakité Sub off.svg 83'
CF19 Nicolas Pépé Sub off.svg 65'
LW20 Christian Kouamé Yellow card.svg 45+5'Sub off.svg 65'
Substitutions:
FW10 Karim Konaté Sub on.svg 64'
FW11 Jean-Philippe Krasso Sub on.svg 65'
MF13 Jérémie Boga Sub on.svg 65'
MF15 Max Gradel Sub on.svg 83'
MF24 Simon Adingra Sub on.svg 83'
Coach:
Flag of France.svg Jean-Louis Gasset

Man of the Match:
Jesús Owono (Equatorial Guinea)

Assistant referees:
Ibrahim Mohamed (Sudan)
Arsenio Marengula (Mozambique)
Fourth official:
Abdel Aziz Bouh (Mauritania)
Video assistant referee:
Mahmoud Ashour (Egypt)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Mahmoud El Banna (Egypt)

Guinea-Bissau vs Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau and Nigeria met for only the fourth time, and all have come within the past two years. The first meeting came in the group stage finale of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Garoua, Cameroon, where goals from Umar Sadiq and William Troost-Ekong gave Nigeria a 2-0 victory and eliminated Guinea-Bissau from the tournament. The nations also met in qualification for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, with Guinea-Bissau recording a 1-0 victory on Mar. 24, 2023, in Abuja, Nigeria, courtesy of a goal from Mama Balde. Nigeria won in Bissau three days later, with Moses Simon's penalty kick being the only score in that match.

Guinea-Bissau mounted fierce resistance against Nigeria, but in a clumsy attempt to clear out in the 36th minute, Opa Sanganté ended up scoring an own goal, which turned out to be the only goal of the match as Nigeria emerged victorious.

This loss meant Guinea-Bissau lost all three matches at the group stage for the first time and remained winless after participating in four tournaments.

Guinea-Bissau  Flag of Guinea-Bissau.svg0–1Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria
Report
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body guib2122h.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts guib2122h.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks guib2122h.png
Kit socks long.svg
Guinea-Bissau
Kit left arm nga22a.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body nga22a.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm nga22a.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts nga22h.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks nga22a.png
Kit socks long.svg
Nigeria
GK1 Jonas Mendes (c)
RB5 Houboulang Mendes
CB25 Edgar Ié
CB22 Opa Sanganté
LB21 Nanu Sub off.svg 80'
CM19 Janio Bikel
CM6 Nito Gomes
RW18 Famana Quizera Sub off.svg 68'
AM7 Dálcio Sub off.svg 88'
LW13 Carlos Mendes Gomes Sub off.svg 46'
CF9 Zinho Gano Sub off.svg 46'
Substitutions:
FW11 Marciano Sanca Sub on.svg 46'
FW3 Franculino Djú Sub on.svg 46'
FW24 Zé Turbo Sub on.svg 68'
DF2 Fali Candé Sub on.svg 80'
MF8 Alfa Semedo Sub on.svg 88'
Coach:
Baciro Candé
GK23 Stanley Nwabili
CB6 Semi Ajayi Yellow card.svg 44'
CB22 Kenneth Omeruo (c)
CB21 Calvin Bassey Yellow card.svg 90+4'
RWB12 Bright Osayi-Samuel Sub off.svg 80'
CM8 Frank Onyeka Yellow card.svg 50'Sub off.svg 63'
CM10 Joe Aribo Sub off.svg 63'
LWB2 Ola Aina Sub off.svg 90+4'
AM11 Samuel Chukwueze Sub off.svg 80'
AM15 Moses Simon
CF9 Victor Osimhen
Substitutions:
MF25 Raphael Onyedika Sub on.svg 63'
MF17 Alex Iwobi Sub on.svg 63'
FW18 Ademola Lookman Sub on.svg 80'
DF3 Zaidu Sanusi Sub on.svg 80'
DF20 Chidozie Awaziem Sub on.svg 90+4'
Coach:
Flag of Portugal.svg José Peseiro

Man of the Match:
Moses Simon (Nigeria)

Assistant referees:
Carine Atezambong (Cameroon)
Diana Chicotesha (Zambia)
Fourth official:
Jalal Jayed (Morocco)
Video assistant referee:
Rédouane Jiyed (Morocco)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Zakaria Brinsi (Morocco)

Discipline

Fair play points would have been used as tiebreakers if the overall and head-to-head records of teams were tied. These were calculated based on yellow and red cards received in all group matches as follows:

Only one of the above deductions was applied to a player in a single match.

TeamMatch 1Match 2Match 3Points
Yellow card.svgYellow card.svg Yellow-red card.svgRed card.svgYellow card.svg Red card.svgYellow card.svgYellow card.svg Yellow-red card.svgRed card.svgYellow card.svg Red card.svgYellow card.svgYellow card.svg Yellow-red card.svgRed card.svgYellow card.svg Red card.svg
Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Ivory Coast 22–4
Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 113–5
Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea 223–7
Flag of Guinea-Bissau.svg  Guinea-Bissau 1–1

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ivory Coast</span> Country in West Africa

Ivory Coast, officially the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, also known as Côte d'Ivoire, is a country on the southern coast of West Africa. Its capital city of Yamoussoukro is located in the centre of the country, while its largest city and economic centre is the port city of Abidjan. It borders Guinea to the northwest, Liberia to the west, Mali to the northwest, Burkina Faso to the northeast, Ghana to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south. With 30.9 million inhabitants in 2023, Ivory Coast is the third-most populous country in West Africa. Its official language is French, and indigenous languages are also widely used, including Bété, Baoulé, Dioula, Dan, Anyin, and Cebaara Senufo. In total, there are around 78 different languages spoken in Ivory Coast. The country has a religiously diverse population, including numerous followers of Islam, Christianity, and traditional faiths like Animism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ivory Coast national football team</span> Mens association football team

The Ivory Coast national football team represents Ivory Coast in men's international football. Nicknamed the Elephants, the team is managed by the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF). The team has won the Africa Cup of Nations three times, in 1992, 2015 and 2023, and has qualified for the FIFA World Cup three times, in 2006, 2010, and 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Equatorial Guinea national football team</span> National association football team representing Equatorial Guinea

The Equatorial Guinea national football team represents Equatorial Guinea in men's international football and is controlled by the Equatoguinean Football Federation, a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stade de la Paix</span> Stadium in Bouaké, Ivory Coast

Stade de la Paix is a multi-use stadium in Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire. It is currently used mostly for football matches. The stadium holds 40,000 people. Along with Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, it was constructed for the 1984 African Nations Cup. It was one of the host stadiums for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, and is currently being renovated for the competition by Mota-Engil, with structures designed by Quadrante Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patrick Achi</span> Ivorian politician

Patrick Jérôme Achi is an Ivorian politician who served as Prime Minister of Côte d'Ivoire from March 2021 to October 2023 in President Alassane Ouattara's government. He is a member of the Rally of the Republicans (RDR). He studied at Supélec and Stanford University and specialises in engineering and infrastructure. He has also worked as the government spokesman for President Alassane Ouattara.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Troost-Ekong</span> Nigerian footballer (born 1993)

WilliamPaul Troost-Ekong is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Super League Greece club PAOK and captains the Nigeria national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Africa Cup of Nations</span> 34th edition of AFCON

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, known in short as the 2023 AFCON or CAN 2023 and for sponsorship purposes as the TotalEnergies 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, was the 34th edition of the biennial Africa Cup of Nations tournament organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). It was hosted by Ivory Coast, taking place in the country for the second time following the 1984 edition.

The following lists events that happened during 2010 in Ivory Coast.

The following lists events that happened during 2011 in Ivory Coast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alassane Ouattara Stadium</span> Building in Ivory Coast

Alassane Ouattara Stadium, commonly known as the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé and formerly as the National Stadium of the Ivory Coast, is a multi-purpose stadium in Ebimpé and Anyama, in northern Abidjan. It opened in 2020. The stadium hosts major football matches including home matches of the Ivory Coast national football team. Alassane Ouattara Stadium is owned by the Government of Ivory Coast. With 60,000 seats, it is the largest stadium in Ivory Coast and one of the most modern stadiums in Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Konan Banny Stadium</span> Football stadium in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast

Charles Konan Banny Stadium is a football stadium in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast that was inaugurated on 3 June 2022. This was the fourth among the six stadiums for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. It was designed by an association formed of Alcor, Sogea-Satom, Egis and Baudin Chateauneuf.

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as AFCON 2025 or CAN 2025, is scheduled to be the 35th edition of the biennial African football tournament organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). It will be hosted by Morocco for the second time and the first 1988. Morocco was originally scheduled to host the 2015 edition, but withdrew due to fears stemming from the Western African Ebola virus epidemic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canada–Ivory Coast relations</span> Bilateral relations

Canada–Ivory Coast relations are the diplomatic relations between Canada and Ivory Coast. Both nations are members of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.

Clémentine Touré is an Ivorian football manager and former footballer who coaches the Ivory Coast women's national football team. She has also previously coached Equatorial Guinea women's national football team.

Events in the year 2020 in Ivory Coast.

This period in the history of Ivory Coast was affected by the end of the 33-year reign of Félix Houphouët-Boigny in 1993, as well as demographic change which had seen the Muslim population rise from 6% in 1922 to 38.6% in 1998, including a majority in the north of the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tiémoko Meyliet Koné</span> 2nd Vice President of Ivory Coast

Tiémoko Meyliet Koné is an Ivorian economist and politician. He has served as Vice-President of Ivory Coast since April 2022.

Ivory Coast is one of Africa's major forces in the Africa Cup of Nations. Ivory Coast has won the tournament three times, most recently as hosts in 2023. They previously won in 1992 and 2015. Ivory Coast has also finished as runner up twice, in 2006 and 2012.

The knockout stage of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations was the second and final stage of the competition, following the group stage. It began on 27 January with the round of 16 and ended on 11 February 2024 with the final held at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan. A total of sixteen teams advanced to the knockout stage to compete in a single-elimination style tournament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Africa Cup of Nations final</span> Football match

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final was a football match played on 11 February 2024 between Ivory Coast and Nigeria. It determined the winner of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, the 34th edition of the biennial African tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The match was played at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Nigeria qualified for the final for the eighth time in their history, while Ivory Coast reached the final for the fifth time.

References

  1. Olufemi, Damilola (12 October 2023). "FULL LIST: 2023 AFCON group draw". The Punch.
  2. "WATCH LIVE: TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d'Ivoire 2023 Official Draw". Confederation of African Football. 10 December 2023.
  3. Mpembe, Thando (11 January 2024). "2023 AFCON: Cote d'Ivoire v Guinea-Bissau preview". African Football.
  4. "Group A - Cote d'Ivoire v Guinea Bissau: Facts & Figures". Confederation of African Football. 12 January 2024.
  5. "AFCON hosts Ivory Coast without Haller for opening game". Abidjan: France 24. Agence France-Presse. 12 January 2024.
  6. "Preview: Ivory Coast v Guinea-Bissau". Pan Africa Football. 13 January 2024.
  7. "Côte d'Ivoire vs Guinea-Bissau match Report". globalsportsarchive.com. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  8. "TOTALENERGIES CAF AFCON: Amin Mohamed Omar to officiate opening match". Confederation of African Football. 13 January 2024.
  9. "Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea match Report". globalsportsarchive.com. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  10. https://sportsbrief.com/football/56980-emilio-nsue-equatorial-guineas-hat-trick-hero-sets-afcon-milestone/#:~:text=According%20to%20Opta%20Statistics%2C%20at%20the%20age%20of,in%20AFCON%20history%20to%20score%20a%20hat%20trick.
  11. "Equatorial Guinea vs Guinea-Bissau match Report". globalsportsarchive.com. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  12. "Côte d'Ivoire vs Nigeria match Report". globalsportsarchive.com. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  13. "Equatorial Guinea 4 Ivory Coast 0". BBC Sport. 22 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  14. "Equatorial Guinea vs Côte d'Ivoire match Report". globalsportsarchive.com. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  15. "Guinea-Bissau vs Nigeria match Report". globalsportsarchive.com. Retrieved 26 January 2024.