AFCON 2023: Super Eagles Draw Hosts, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been drawn against two-time Africa Cup of Nations champions and host Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau in the group stage of the 2023 AFCON.

Ivory Coast is set to host the rest of Africa in January next year in the 2023 AFCON. The competition should have been held this year, but because of the World Cup, which took place at the end of last year, CAF opted to push the tournament to 2023 to prevent players’ burnout.

Ahead of the competition, CAF held the draws in Abidjan on Thursday. The event had in attendance some African football greats like Mikel Obi, Taribo West, Aristide Bance, and Yaya Toure.

In the draws, Nigeria was in pot two, and that guaranteed that they were going to have a top African team in their group.

Eventually, the three-time African champions were drawn in Group A alongside hosts and two-time champions of the tournament Ivory Coast. Equatorial Guinea are also drawn in Group A, while Guinea-Bissau, who were in Nigeria’s group at the last AFCON, make up the four teams.

Nigeria are the second team in Group A, so the opening game of the tournament should be between them and hosts Ivory Coast.

The 2023 AFCON will begin on January 13, 2024.