Nigeria to battle Ghana, Ivory Coast in inaugural African Nations League

Super Eagles will reignite fierce West African rivalries after being grouped with Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire in the inaugural African Nations League, a new continental competition set to begin in 2029.

The tournament was officially announced by Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), as part of sweeping reforms aimed at reshaping the structure of African international football.

According to CAF, the African Nations League will adopt a regional structure divided into four zones: North, West, East, and Southern Africa.

Teams will compete within their zones, with each regional winner progressing to a final tournament to determine the overall champion.

For Nigeria, the West African zone promises intense competition, particularly against long-standing rivals Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. Matches between the Super Eagles and the Black Stars have historically carried significant weight.

Côte d’Ivoire, meanwhile, remain one of Africa’s most decorated and competitive sides.

The African Nations League will be staged every two years, with fixtures scheduled during FIFA international windows to ensure player availability and minimise conflict with club competitions.

CAF projects the tournament to become a major commercial success and potentially its leading revenue generator, even surpassing the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

In a related development, CAF confirmed that the Africa Cup of Nations will move to a four-year cycle after the 2028 edition.