From Saturday, January 13 to Sunday, February 11, 2024, Côte d’Ivoire will host Africa’s biggest football tournament, the African Nations Cup (AFCON). This is the 34th edition of Africa’s biennial national men’s team football competition. Six FIFA international-level stadiums in five separate cities in Côte d’Ivoire are hosting soccer enthusiasts and lovers of African football.
AFCON is not only a platform to display football talent but also a celebration of African culture, music, and fashion. The tournament is known for its vibrant atmosphere and colourful fan base.
This year’s tournament will feature almost all the best footballing nations on the continent. After Morocco made history by reaching the World Cup semi-finals in 2022 held in Qatar, an African side becoming world champions is no longer beyond the limits of reality.
This year’s edition will no longer be considered as a platform for unearthing talents. Our talents have now matured and we should be ready to display great football skills to rival any other continental tournaments. It is now the opportunity for established players to demonstrate their skills and compete for the coveted title of African champions.
In football, playing at home has always been an advantage but with regards to AFCON playing on home soil is no longer an assurance of triumph. The most recent team to win the continental trophy on their home turf was Egypt, and that was in 2006. The last time it happened was nine editions ago.
Defending champions, Senegal (Lions de la Téranga) easily rank among the biggest contenders with the Indomitable Lions from Cameroon, the Pharaohs of Egypt, and the Super Eagles of Nigeria with the potential to go all the way in this competition.
Ghana’s tag as a pre-tournament favourite has faded off in recent tournaments and for the first time, fans have little or no expectation for this current Black Star squad. Can this take the enormous weight off the team for a football miracle to happen? The team’s last AFCON victory was in 1982, and they have not won any major international tournament since then. Maybe our new tag as dark horses can finally bring home the trophy. The Black Stars are in Group B with Egypt, Cape Verde, and Mozambique.
Leading players who ply their trade in the most competitive leagues in Europe including Mohamed Salah (Egypt), recently crowned 2023 African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen (Nigeria), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco), and new sensations Serhou Guirassy (Guinea) and Mohamed Kudus (Ghana) are ready to take the continent on a football ride.
The 34th AFCON will be a testament to the power of football in bringing people together and promoting unity and peace. The golden age of African football has reached the pinnacle and it’s time to showcase it to the world.
