Summary: The Africa Cup of Nations 2023 in Côte d’Ivoire is set to be a major event, with the Elephants ready to shine in front of their home crowd. Scheduled to start on January 13 against Guinea-Bissau, this competition not only strengthens the country’s commitment to football but also its economic and tourism potential.
A special edition
This edition of the AFCON is particularly anticipated as it takes place on Ivorian soil. The Elephants, led by Jean-Louis Gasset, aim to win this continental tournament for the third time in their history, following their successes in 1992 and 2015. The national team recently unveiled its provisional list of 27 players who will represent the nation at this prestigious event.
Team composition
Key players include talents playing in renowned European clubs. Captain Serge Aurier (Nottingham Forest) will be joined by Ibrahim Sangaré (also Nottingham Forest), Franck Kessié (Al-Ahli), as well as Jonathan Bamba from Celta Vigo and Evan Ndicka (AS Roma). Notably absent: Wilfried Zaha (Galatasaray), who was left out for strategic reasons according to the coach.
List of key players:
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Serge Aurier – Captain
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Ibrahim Sangaré
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Franck Kessié
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Jonathan Bamba
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Evan Ndicka
An ambitious journey
The preparatory camp begins on January 2 in San Pedro, followed by a friendly match against Sierra Leone scheduled for January 6. The first official match will take place at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpé against Guinea-Bissau. Additionally, they will face two other strong teams: Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea during this group stage.
Economic and social stakes
The hosting of this major sporting event is of vital importance not only on a sporting level but also economically; it is expected to significantly boost the tourism industry in Côte d’Ivoire while showcasing its modernized infrastructure developed in recent years with an international perspective.
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For more information on upcoming matches or to discover more about your favorite team during this exciting period!
