- Music icon, Akon is expected to light up and grace the final draw for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations slated for Ivory Coast, according to Cafonline.com. Akon, who is known for his chart-topping music and philanthropic endeavours, is a passionate football enthusiast and a social activist.
According to Supersport News, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals draw will take place this Thursday, October 12, 2023, in Abidjan. It is there that Bafana Bafana will find out their fate and their chance to rejoin the continent's top table.
Music icon, Akon is expected to light up and grace the final draw for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations slated for Ivory Coast, according to Cafonline.com.
Akon, who is known for his chart-topping music and philanthropic endeavours, is a passionate football enthusiast and a social activist.
With two of Africa's top 12 teams in their group and only the top two teams and the four best-placed runners-up moving on to the round of 16, Bafana are in Pot 3, which may make for an embarrassing pool.
As the hosts in Pot 1, Ivory Coast will enjoy the homefield advantage, but there may be unwelcome pressure because of that since their Golden Generation retired a long time ago.
Bafana did defeat them in Johannesburg in June when they were World Cup semi-finalists less than a year ago, but they are still a tough opponent. Amazingly, after 47 years, they have finally won the continental crown.
Senagal, the reigning champions, are still the class of the field and will look to win back-to-back games after winning their first goal medal two years ago. However, a few of their stars are getting older.
Even though Tunisia hasn't won a championship in almost 20 years, they are still a threat and frequently perform below expectations. They proved they are a good side during the World Cup in Qatar.
Algeria, who were champions two years ago but were shockingly eliminated from the World Cup, will be looking to avenge that defeat in their second participation in the continental championships.
It is simple to forget that Angola produced some outstanding players in the past and advanced to the World Cup finals in 2006. Although they haven't yet reached their potential yet, making their second finals appearance since 2013 is a positive start.
Although many African nations are taking advantage of the time to prepare for upcoming important dates, it is unfortunate that there are no competitive internationals during the October window.
Over the next six days, every elite team on the continent will be training in anticipation of the World Cup qualifiers starting next month and the Africa Cup of Nations finals in the Ivory Coast in January.
Morocco was set to host Liberia in the final qualifying match for that competition, which is to take place in Agadir from January 13 to February 11. Following the horrific earthquake in Morocco last month that claimed hundreds of lives, it was postponed.
