By Efosa Taiwo

The opening ceremony of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is underway in Cote D’Ivoire, the host country.

The ceremony is happening at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan which will also play host to the opening match between hosts, Ivory Coast and three-time participant Guinea Bissau.

This will be the 34th edition of the Nations Cup which will feature 24 countries from across the continent.

Important facts about 34th Nations Cup

Hosts and Opening Match: Cote d’Ivoire is set to stage the finals, with the opening match scheduled for Saturday, 13 January, where the hosts will face Guinea-Bissau at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.

Historic Context: Cote d’Ivoire is hosting the tournament for the first time since 1984.

Venue Overview: The matches will be held in six stadiums across five host cities, reflecting Cote d’Ivoire’s commitment to sports infrastructure development. The cities of Abidjan, Bouake, Korogho, San Pedro and Yamoussoukro.

Akwaba – The Official Mascot: The official mascot, “Akwaba,” derived from the Baoulé language’s term for “Welcome.” Represented by an elephant, Akwaba’s attire pays homage to the host nation’s identity by mirroring Cote d’Ivoire’s home colours.

“Pokou” – The Official Match Ball: The official match ball is called “Pokou”. It honours the late Ivorian football legend, Laurent Pokou, renowned for his historic achievement of scoring five goals in the 6-1 victory over Ethiopia during the 1970 tournament.

“Akwaba” – The Official Song Celebration: The official song, “Akwaba,” features Nigerian artist Yemi Alade, Egyptian rapper Mohamed Ramadan, and Ivorian music band Magic System. The anthem blends afrobeat, rap, and zouglou, embodying a unique musical fusion deeply rooted in the tradition of the tournament.

Group Structure: The 24 teams are divided into six groups of four teams each, with intriguing match-ups like Egypt vs. Ghana in Group B and Senegal vs. Cameroon in Group C.

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