Excitement as Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea kick off AFCON 2023

The 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicks off today, featuring the host nation, Ivory Coast’s Elephants, facing Guinea-Bissau in the opening match. This premier football event in Africa has attracted twenty-four teams representing the continent’s best football-playing nations. They have gathered in Abidjan and five other designated Ivorian cities for the tournament, which spans until February 11.

The AFCON’s inaugural edition took place in 1957 with just three participating nations: Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia. Over the years, the tournament has grown significantly, initially held every two years from 1968 and shifting to odd-numbered years in 2013. The number of participating countries increased from 12 to 16 in 1996, and in 2017, the Confederation of African Football expanded it further to 24 finalists.

Among the participating nations, Egypt holds the record with seven titles, including an unprecedented three consecutive wins in 2006, 2008, and 2010. Cameroon follows with five titles, and Ghana stands third with four. The reigning champions, Senegal, secured their first AFCON title in 2022, defeating Egypt in a thrilling penalty shootout.

The Local Organising Committee expresses readiness to host and showcase Africa’s potential in organizing major tournaments. Beyond sports, the biennial tournament serves as a platform to display African culture and tourism, generating excitement among thousands of spectators and a global television audience.

This edition of AFCON promises lucrative returns, with television networks across Africa, Latin America, Europe, and Asia securing broadcasting rights. The prize money has been significantly increased, with the winner receiving 7 million American Dollars.

The 2023 AFCON, originally scheduled for October-November 2023, has finally arrived. Let the games begin.

In addition to the tournament details, here are some notable AFCON records:

1. No debutants in 2024: For the first time, all participating teams are familiar with the AFCON stage.
2. Most titles: Egypt leads with seven titles, including a remarkable three consecutive victories.
3. Most successful coaches: Egyptian Hassan Shehata and Ghana’s Charles Gyamfi are the most successful coaches, each with three titles.
4. Most losses in finals: Ghana’s Black Stars hold the record for most losses in finals, with five defeats in nine attempts.
5. Most third-place finishes: Nigeria’s Super Eagles have won the bronze eight times, the most in AFCON history.
6. All-time highest goal-scorer: Cameroonian forward Samuel Eto’o holds the record with 18 goals.
7. Most goals in one tournament: Pierre Ndaye Mulamba from DR Congo scored nine goals in 1974, a record yet to be surpassed.
8. Fastest Goal: Ayman Mansour scored the fastest goal in 1994, just 23 seconds into the match.
9. Youngest Goal Scorer: Shiva N’zigou of Gabon scored at 16 years and 93 days in 2000.
10. Oldest goalscorer: Hossam Hassan of Egypt scored at 39 years and 174 days in 2006.
11. Most goals in a single match: Laurent Pokou scored five goals for Ivory Coast in a 6-1 victory against Ethiopia in 1970.
12. Goal-scoring goalkeeper: Kennedy Mweene is the first and only goalkeeper to score in AFCON, in 2013 against Nigeria.
13. First-ever goal: Raafat Attia scored the first goal in the inaugural tournament in 1957.
14. Longest unbeaten run: Egypt holds the record with a 21-match unbeaten run between 2008 and 2010.
15. Most tournament appearances: Ahmed Hassan (Egypt) and Rigobert Song (Cameroon) share the record with eight appearances each from 1996 to 2010.
16. Double honours: Mahmoud El-Gohary of Egypt is the first to win AFCON as both a player and coach, in 1959 and 1998, respectively.