Super Eagles get tournament dates

The dates for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Championship opening ceremony and final have been announced by the continent’s governing body CAF. 

In a press release circulated today, CAF stipulates that the kickoff ceremony will take place on the 13th of January 2024, while the final will be held in the Ivory Coast on the 11th of February. 

While Algeria, Morocco, South Africa, Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Senegal and the Ivory Coast (as hosts) have secured spots on the AFCON 2023 roster, the Super Eagles of Nigeria are yet to finalise a place at the tournament after losing at home to Guinea Bissau. 

Despite a win in the return leg, Nigeria still needs at least one more point from their remaining two games to be certain of qualification for the final tournament now billed for January to February 2024. 

CAF also announced that they expect record turnouts and viewership for the 2023 edition of the biggest football competition in Africa based on the continent's improved standing in world football. 

With the performances of Morocco and other African countries at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, many have started to take notice of the continent once again in global football after a reputation lull in recent years, and CAF believes this will translate into the best AFCON in immediate history. 

The 24 nations set to compete in the Ivory Coast for the continent’s biggest prize in the 34th edition of AFCON will be hoping to further grow the competition’s reputation in the face of what CAF says will be unprecedented interest from global media.

Despite the celebration of the continent, there will also be issues raised over the timing of the tournament which will see players play through the winter break at some clubs, or miss out on some crucial games, for those who play in the Premier League. 

Many coaches and club staff have decried the timing of past AFCON tournaments held in January, such as Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentis, who could be losing Victor Osimhen and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa in January if both their countries qualify for the tournament.

De Laurentis had previously threatened to stop signing players from African countries if the tournament persisted with a January calendar, and it will be interesting to see if he will make good on his promises.