The draw for the group stage of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) was held on Thursday evening, at the Parc Des Expositions in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles are up against hosts Cote d’Ivoire in Group A alongside Guinea-Bissau and Guinea.
Twenty-four teams will be taking part in the delayed competition billed for January 13 and February 11, 2024.
The tournament which was earlier scheduled to hold this year was moved following the 2022 World Cup which was held in December 2022.
Recall that Nigeria were placed in Pot 2 ahead of the AFCON draw which was graciously attended by international ex-players of the participating nations including the continent’s football legends such as Mikel Obi, Taribo West, and Yaya Toure.
Below is the draw for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations:
Group A:
Ivory Coast (hosts)
Nigeria
Equatorial Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Group B:
Egypt
Ghana
Cape Verde
Mozambique
Group C:
Senegal (holders)
Cameroon
Guinea
The Gambia
Group D:
Algeria
Burkina Faso
Mauritania
Angola
Group E:
Tunisia
Mali
South Africa
Namibia
Group F:
Morocco
DR Congo
Zambia
Tanzania
All group winners, runners-up and the four highest-ranked third-placed teams qualify for the knockout stage.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles had lost to Guinea-Bissau in the qualification battle for the tournament but topped the group standing. The Super Eagles had also clashed with Guinea-Bissau in the last edition of the AFCON held in Cameroon last year. Nigeria triumphed over Guinea-Bissau 0-2.
Ivory Coast last battled the three-time African champions in South Africa in 2013, as the Nigerian side ran out 2-1 victors in the quarter-finals, and finally soared higher lifting the continental trophy.
Senegal are the defending champions of the tournament following their win over Egypt in Cameroon. That was their debut title since the beginning of the competition.
