The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, delayed to January 2024, is being played in the Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11, featuring 24 of the continent’s premier men’s national teams.
Here is everything you need to know about the tournament.
Standings: Click here
Fixtures and scores: Click here
Features:
5 takeaways from Nigeria’s quarterfinal win over Angola
Ademola Lookman scored his third goal of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, and Moses Simon — who provided him the assist — came away with Man of the Match honours as Nigeria sashayed into semifinals on the back of a 1-0 win over Angola.
The big interview: William Troost-Ekong’s renaissance
William Troost-Ekong has made bruising tackles, led the defence and team vocally from the back, and even scored a penalty for Nigeria, emerging as one of the more outstanding players in this squad as they aim a fourth African title. But the veteran defender, who faces Angola in the AFCON quarterfinals on Friday, almost did not make it to this tournament. He actually came very close to not putting on a Nigeria jersey ever again.
Can Ivory Coast’s redemption arc continue?
Only four matches into Ivory Coast’s remarkable Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign and it’s hard to know which is the most-astonishing element of this unprecedented rollercoaster run on home soil. A case can be made that this team’s showing can already be considered among the most confounding performances by any side in a major international tournament, such have been the nature of the twists and turns.
Bafana out to show they have truly turned a corner
By upsetting favourites Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16, Bafana Bafana gave their fans all over South Africa reason for optimism 28 years after their 1996 AFCON triumph that brought the country together shortly after the dawn of democracy.
WTH is a Bafana?! – The wonderful world of African football nicknames
With the AFCON in full swing, here’s ESPN’s guide to the team nicknames on show at the tournament, and some of the patterns and themes to be found among the continent’s subplots of sobriquets.
South Africa hero Williams reacts to AFCON quarterfinal win
Ronwen Williams and Hugo Broos speak after the South Africa goalkeeper saved four penalties in the shootout vs. Cape Verde.
AFCON’s missing men: What are the absent stars up to?
Inevitably, at each Africa Cup of Nations, some of the continent’s biggest names are missing for a whole array of reasons. Let’s catch up on what some of these absent stars have been doing while the rest have been competing for Africa’s grandest prize.
Nigeria REALLY need their strikers to turn up soon
The attack was supposed to be Nigeria’s strongest asset going into the tournament. That has not proven to be the case, even as they advance to last 16.
Which teams need to do what to reach the knockouts?
The Africa Cup of Nations group stage has been an exciting journey so far, with plenty of goals, several surprise results, and numerous outstanding performances. However, with many of the teams able to take points from each other, and only one side eliminated so far, there’s still much at stake as we head into the final round of group games.
Nigeria’s defence the key in Ivory Coast win
Nigeria’s Super Eagles proved that they are most dangerous when they have their backs to the wall, securing a 1-0 win over hosts and favourites Ivory Coast on the back of defender William Troost-Ekong’s second half penalty kick.
AFCON mini review: Are we heading for a shock winner?
With every team having played once at the Africa Cup of Nations, ESPN’s Ed Dove reviews the big talking points — and the stuff you might have missed — from the tournament so far.
Nigeria already under pressure as Ivory Coast looms
With just one game played, Nigeria’s Super Eagles are already up against it. A loss against Ivory Coast on Thursday would seriously jeopardise their chances of progression to the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Would any of today’s Bafana side make the 1996 AFCON-winning team?
ESPN spoke to former South Africa stars Mark Fish, Roger de Sa, and Matthew Booth about the current Bafana Bafana side, and whether any of today’s players would have made the 1996 side that won the Africa Cup of Nations.
AFCON kit rankings – 18 manufacturers go from boring to bold
Will any of this year’s kit collections – contributed by 18 different manufacturers — take their place in the pantheon of all-time great AFCON kits?
Nigeria don’t look like contenders after opening draw
Victor Osimhen saved Nigeria’s blushes, but the Super Eagles dropped two valuable points in a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea in their opening game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Akwaba! Africa’s biggest football stage, is set… Bull will it be a success?
The road to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has been relatively smooth, which is not typical for AFCON, but don’t expect a steady build-up to the competition to lead to a chilled campaign.
All eyes on Osimhen as injury-hit Nigeria face uphill battle
Nigeria may have to wrap star striker Victor Osimhen in cotton wool, put him in a bubble, place bodyguards around him during training, and inspect the pitch for anything with the potential to cause injury until they kick off their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations title hunt.
Ranking all 24 AFCON teams, from pretenders to contenders
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is upon us, as the continent’s top teams collide in the biennial month-long football showpiece in the Ivory Coast. And while this tournament is notoriously difficult to predict, with heavyweights often falling by the wayside early, ESPN has a go at ranking the teams regardless.
Nigeria’s AFCON title hopes depend on shaky goalkeepers
A decade on from when they won their last Africa Cup of Nations title in 2013, Nigeria travel to Côte d’Ivoire with the undisguised ambition of winning their fourth crown, but their always-unstable goalkeeping berth stands in the way.
Are DR Congo the surprise package from AFCON?
Gab & Juls react to DR Congo’s penalty shootout win over Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.
News:
Near-naked journalist prompts CAF action
The report is a ‘joke’: Omeruo denies Nigeria camp drama
Klopp: Salah will 100% return for AFCON final if needed
Coaches sacked! Ghana and Algeria and Ivory Coast and Egypt
Senegal coach leaves hospital after health scare
Mbemba abused online after Congo draw
Salah ruled out of AFCON, at least till semis, with injury
Nigeria coach Peseiro ‘confused’ by Sadiq’s rapid recovery
GK Onana returns to AFCON: My country comes first
Ghana coach Hughton attacked by angry fan
Aboubakar injured ahead of Cameroon opener
Oxygen fails on team Gambia’s flight to Ivory Coast
Kudus back in training in AFCON boost for Ghana
Onana to miss opening AFCON fixture for PL game
Nigeria’s Boniface ruled out of AFCON
Man United, Cameroon agree late Onana release for AFCON
Can Liverpool keep winning when Salah is at AFCON?