The journey to being crowned champions of Africa begins today in Cote d’Ivoire with the AFCON set to get underway as hosts, the Elephants of Ivory Coast, face the Djurtus of Guinea-Bissau at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe.
The 34th edition of the tournament has been considered to be one of the most competitive by many, including Senegal’s Saido Mane. The competition will run from today till February 11, with several teams capable of lifting the title.
The AFCON tournament, the continent’s biggest showpiece, brings together the best national teams from Africa to compete for the coveted title of champions. It is the first time Ivory Coast is hosting AFCON since they did in 1984.
Senegal head into the AFCON as the defending champions, while Egypt, last edition’s losing finalists record and seven-time winners, Cameroon (five titles), and Ghana (four) are other African powerhouses vying for the biggest prize.
On the other hand, Nigeria, who seemingly launched a media campaign “LetsDoItAgain”, are hoping to end its 10-year title drought. Nigeria last won AFCON in 2013 and we have flattered to deceive in recent tournaments. The low point was missing out on World Cup 2022 – a disaster that 200 million Nigerians are still struggling to comprehend.
However, the thin air of optimism about the Super Eagles’ chances this time is beginning to disappear following injuries to key players like Victor Boniface, Wilfred Ndidi, and Sadiq Umar. Furthermore, recent performances under manager Jose Peseiro have been underwhelming especially in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Meanwhile, the presence of the continent’s best player, Victor Osimhen, is keeping the hope alive as he gets set for his second AFCON tournament.
Morocco, Africa’s top-ranked side after their historic World Cup semi-final run, are considered to be serious contenders as they look to add to their 1976 title.
“We have an experienced coach in Walid Regragui and we believe we can win it,” said Morocco midfielder Sofyan Amrabat who has top players Achraf Hakimi, Yassino Bounou, and Azzeddine Ounahi as his team-mates.
“I want to win this competition having come so close twice,” declared Egypt’s Salah, still stung by final defeats with the Pharaohs in 2017 and 2021. The Liverpool superstar is desperate to lead his nation to a record-extending eighth African crown.
Players to watch: Peter Shalulile (Namibia), Mohammed Kudus (Ghana), and Sehrou Guirassy (Guinea) are some of the stars to watch out for, and not to forget the usual suspects Victor Osimhen (Nigeria), Sadio Mane (Senegal), and Mohammed Salah (Egypt).
Stadiums where games will be played: Alassane Ouattara Stadium (Ebimpe), Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium (Abidjan), Stade de la Paix (Bouake), Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium (Korhogo), Stade Charles Konan Banny (Yamoussoukro), and Stade Laurent Pokou (San Pedro).
AFCON in Ten Numbers
ONE: The Teranga Lions of Senegal broke their long-standing jinx in 2022 to win their first Africa Cup of Nations trophy in Cameroon following a disappointing year in 2019.
TWO: Côte d’Ivoire have won the Africa Cup of Nations two times in their history. They achieved this feat in 1992 and 2015. On both occasions, they defeated Ghana on penalties.
THREE: Three countries, hosts Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia, took part in the first tournament in February 1957 and there was no qualifying competition.
FOUR: Ghana have won the Africa Cup of Nations FOUR times in their history. Their last triumph came in 1982 in Libya.
FIVE: Nigerian International, Odion Ighalo scored 5 goals to emerge as the top scorer in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
SIX: Four players Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o, Ghanaian duo Asamoah Gyan as well as Andre Ayew and Zambia’s Kalusha Bwalya have scored in SIX different AFCON Tournaments. No players have scored in more editions of the competition than them.
SEVEN: Egypt are the most successful country in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations with seven tittles. They won it in 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010.
EIGHT: Egypt’s Ahmed Hassan and Cameroon’s Rigobert Song hold the record for the most number of AFCON participations, with each player having featured in eight finals tournaments in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010. This record could be tied by Ghana’s Andre Ayew at Côte d’Ivoire.
NINE: Egypt and Ghana have both reached 9 AFCON Finals. While Egypt have won seven, Ghana have four wins.
TEN: Kalusha Bwayla Joel Tiehi, Santos, Ndaye Mulamba, and Andre Ayew have all scored ten goals in the Africa Cup of Nations.
The 24-team format means this AFCON promises major drama and shocks with group stage upsets and tense knockout clashes. With seven different winners in the last seven editions, the tournament is wide open as the continent’s heavyweights vie for supremacy.
Let hope that Nigeria will clinch the trophy this time. We no go gree for anybody.