Six stadiums across various cities in Côte d’Ivoire are gearing up to host the Africa Cup of Nations football competition, taking place from January 13 to February 11, 2023.
For the second time in a row, after the previous edition held in Cameroon in 2021, the “CAN 2023” will feature 24 teams divided into six groups.
Each group comprises four teams, with the top two teams from each group qualifying at the end of the first round. They will be joined by the four best teams that finish in third place.
The six groups are:
- Group A: Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau.
- Group B: Egypt, Ghana, Cape Verde, and Mozambique.
- Group C: Senegal, Cameroon, Guinea, and Gambia.
- Group D: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and Angola.
- Group E: Tunisia, Mali, South Africa, and Namibia.
- Group F: Morocco, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, and Tanzania.
“CAN 2023” Stadiums:
- Alassane Ouattara Stadium (60,000 spectators): Known as the “Olympic Stadium in Ebimpé,” it is located in the city of Anyama, north of Abidjan. This multipurpose stadium is designed to host football, rugby, and athletics competitions. Inaugurated on October 3, 2020, with President Alassane Ouattara in attendance, this facility is the country’s largest stadium set to host the opening match, the fixtures of Group A, as well as the tournament’s final.
🚨 Le stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara accueillera la finale de la CAN 2024 ! 🇨🇮
(@mlktraore) pic.twitter.com/gsI81b8EFI
— Actu Foot Maghreb (@actufootmaghreb) March 31, 2023
- Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium (33,000 spectators): Commonly referred to as “Felicia,” this is the oldest stadium in the country, located in Abidjan. Initially named Stade Geo Andre before the country’s independence, it opened in 1962 and has been renovated in stages in 2009, 2017, 2020, and 2023. It has been named after Felix Houphouet-Boigny, the first President of the Republic who ruled from 1960 until his death in 1993. The stadium previously hosted the 1984 Nations Cup matches and will showcase the games of Group B (Egypt, Ghana, Cape Verde, and Mozambique), along with a match from Group A between Guinea-Bissau and Nigeria.
- Charles Konan Banny Stadium (20,000 spectators): Situated in Yamoussoukro, it was inaugurated by the late former Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly on October 19, 2018. The stadium is set to host the fixtures of Group C and a match from Group D between Angola and Burkina Faso.
- Peace Stadium (40,000 spectators): Constructed in 1984 to coincide with Côte d’Ivoire’s hosting of the African Cup of Nations, it spans over 14.52 hectares. Following rehabilitation efforts, its covered stands’ capacity increased from 25,000 to 40,000 spectators and is prepared to receive the games of Group D.
- Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium (20,000 spectators): Located in Korhogo in the north of the country, it was named in honor of the former Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly, who served from 2017 until his death in 2020. Accommodating 20,000 fans, it will host the matches of Group E, as well as the fixture between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tanzania from Group F.
Le Stade Amadou Gon Coulibaly de Korhogo est prêt pour la #CAN2023 pic.twitter.com/cAhwvkVDP6
— La Côte d’Ivoire (@CotedIvoire_off) July 15, 2023
- Laurent Pokou Stadium (20,000 spectators): This stadium is in the city of San Pedro on the west coast and covers an area larger than 23 hectares. With a natural grass pitch, it will see the clashes of Group F, along with the match between Namibia and Mali from Group E.
