As CAF chooses AFCON 2023 official Air Carrier

The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) has announced Air Cote d’Ivoire as the latest Official Sponsor for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023.

Through the partnership, Air Côte d’Ivoire, also the national airline of host country, Côte d’Ivoire, becomes the official carrier for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023.

As the official carrier, Air Côte d’Ivoire will play a vital role in facilitating the transportation of teams, officials, and fans to and from the tournament venues across the West African country.

With their extensive network and modern fleet, the airline is well-equipped to ensure a seamless travel experience for all involved. 

Chief Executive Officer of Air Cote d’Ivoire, Laurent Loukou said: ”We are happy and proud of this partnership with CAF towards organising a memorable TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations for African football fans and beyond. Subsequently, our fleet and flight schedule have been readjusted to meet the travel needs of the competition.”

The tournament will take place from 13 January to 11 February 2024 in the cities of Abidjan, Bouake, Korhogo, San Pedro and Yamoussoukro.

For further inquiries, please contact:

communications@cafonline.com

CAF | Communication Department

About Air Cote d’Ivioire:

Air Côte d’Ivoire was created in May 2012 at the initiative of President Alassane OUATTARA, whose vision was to provide Côte d’Ivoire with a major airline that would contribute to its economic recovery and international influence.

Since the launch of its flights in November 2012, the company has grown rapidly to position itself very quickly as a market leader with more than 50% market share.

Which Premier League players are at the Africa Cup of Nations and AFC Asian Cup?

The Premier League will feel different throughout January and early February, as the Africa Cup of Nations and AFC Asian Cup will see a long list of big-time players representing their countries, USAToday reports.

The Cup of Nations, which Ivory Coast will host, is set to start on January 13 and run through February 11. Meanwhile, the Asian Cup will occur in Qatar from January 12 to February 10.

That means Premier League clubs will have to do without some vast names. Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma, Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana, and Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson will all be away. At the same time, Nottingham Forest will have fewer than six players missing time.

Here is a complete list of all the Premier League players participating in the two major tournaments.

Wolves – 4

Every MLS player at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations

Carlos Akapo hocked his trade in Spain for La Liga side Cádiz before he arrived in the MLS. He’s one of the diaspora stars of Africa expected to shine in Cote D’Ivoire during the 2023 AFCON tournament

Steven Moreira

Defender · Columbus Crew

• Team: Cape Verde
• Group: B
• Schedule: Jan. 14 vs. Ghana, Jan. 19 vs. Mozambique, Jan. 22 vs. Egypt

 

Moreira was crucial during the Columbus Crew’s 2023 MLS Cup title run and will chase a similar feat at AFCON with Cape Verde. The former France youth international will contend with a challenging Group B, which includes two perennially strong opponents in Ghana and Egypt.

 

Moreira received his first Cape Verde call-up in October 2023, debuting in a friendly defeat to Algeria. The 29-year-old is a dynamic threat for Columbus from his now-hybrid center-back role, tallying 1g/16a in 73 games since joining from the Ligue 1 side of Toulouse.

Nouhou

Defender · Seattle Sounders FC

• Team: Cameroon
• Group: C
• Schedule: Jan. 15 vs. Guinea, Jan. 19 vs. Senegal, Jan. 23 vs. Gambia

 

A longtime fan-favorite at Seattle Sounders FC, Nouhou is a regular for Cameroon and memorably drew headlines during the 2021 AFCON semifinals. That’s when the left back went toe-to-toe with Salah, helping keep the Liverpool star off the scoresheet during a 0-0 draw that eventually saw Cameroon fall in penalty kicks.

 

Nouhou, 26, started all three matches for Cameroon at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, including a history-making 1-0 victory over Brazil. Throughout his MLS career, Nouhou has 1g/8a in 168 regular-season appearances, winning the MLS Cup (2019) and Concacaf Champions Cup (2022) titles.

 

CAF increases African football’s major prize by 40%

The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) today announced a 40% increase in the Prize Money for the Winner of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (“AFCON”) Côte d’Ivoire 2023.

The Winner of the TotalEnergies AFCON Côte d’Ivoire 2023 will receive USD 7 000 000.

The Runner-up of the TotalEnergies AFCON Côte d’Ivoire 2023 will now get USD 4 000 000. Each of the two Semi-finalist will receive USD 2 500 000 and each of the four Quarter-finalist, USD 1 300 000.

The President of CAF Dr Patrice Motsepe said: “CAF has made significant progress over the past two years in increasing the Prize Money of the AFCON and all its other major competitions. We have increased the Prize Money of the AFCON Winner to USD 7 000 000 which is a 40% increase from the previous AFCON Prize Money.I am confident that a portion of the Prize Money will contribute to developing football and also benefit all the football stakeholders, as well as assist our Member Associations with their administrations.”

As former Desert Fox attempts to take the pressure off his side

Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi has played down the chances of the Desert Foxes ahead of this month’s TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023.

The former international attempted to take the pressure off his side, claiming they were not among the favorites, insisting other sides stood a better chance of winning the title.

Belmadi stated that hosts Cote d’Ivoire were the team to beat at the tournament starting on 13 January.

He cited the Ivorians and other contenders like Egypt, Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia, and Nigeria as excellent contenders compared to the defending champions.

“We are arriving at this tournament slowly but surely, with a lot of certainty,” Belmadi said when unveiling his squad for the continent’s flagship football competition.

“But we are reminded of our elimination from the first round of the last edition, followed by our failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.”

He added: “De facto, we are not favorites.”

It contrasts sharply with Belmadi’s bullish statements before Algeria’s triumphant 2019 TotalEnergies AFCON campaign in Egypt.

On that occasion, the coach correctly predicted his side would stun the continent by returning the trophy to Algiers.

This time, he is keen to reduce expectations on a team still recovering from the pain of recent setbacks.

Algeria did not even reach the knockouts at the 2021 TotalEnergies AFCON in Cameroon two years ago or qualify for the 2022 World Cup.

But Belmadi still backed his players to perform in Cote d’Ivoire, saying: “We will go there to obtain an optimal result.”

Algeria is embarking on a 10-day training camp in the Togolese capital of Lome and playing two friendlies before flying to Cote d’Ivoire for the finals.

Despite his caution, few would write off a talented Algeria squad containing the likes of Riyad Mahrez and Youcef Belaili.

Under the guidance of Afcon mastermind Belmadi, the North Africans have abundant pedigree and quality.

While the boss of the Desert Foxes may be downplaying their chances, Algeria remains a severe contender to recapture their continental crown.

Algeria legend says Cote D’Ivoire 2023 is unpredictable

Algerian legend Rabah Madjer has shared his thoughts on the upcoming TotalEnerghies Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023, set to kick off on January 13, 2024.

The tournament, which will be played until February 11, is poised to host the continent’s formidable teams, making it exceptionally fierce.

Speaking with CAFOnline.com, Madjer, the 1987 African Footballer of the Year winner, acknowledged the difficulty in predicting the favorites for the upcoming competition.

Madjer’s difficulty stems from all the powerhouses of African football that will be playing at the tournament scheduled to be held in the West African country.

CAFonline.com: As we approach the AFCON 2023 in Cote d’Ivoire, what are your expectations regarding the level of competition?

Rabah Madjer: I am highly confident about the quality of the competition because the strongest teams in the continent are all present, and by default, this makes it a tough competition. The participating sides will all be vying for glory, and I expect them to raise the bar to ensure that the tournament is captivating. With just a few days remaining before the kickoff, the expectation for a high level of performance is set with top players from across the globe playing in it.

CAFonline.com:  Which teams do you predict will shine in the AFCON 2023?

Rabah Madjer: Predicting standout teams is challenging, given the diverse pool of formidable contenders. Some teams will be aiming to go far in the continental competition, while others enter the competition with the sole aim of clinching the coveted title. Naming a specific team as the favorite is exceptionally challenging, especially with giants like the host nation Cote d’Ivoire, Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, and Nigeria participating in the finals.

CAFonline.com:  Who are the players you anticipate will emerge as discoveries in AFCON 2023?

Rabah Madjer: I have difficulty pre-determining players who might shine in the AFCON 2023 because the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations is different. A player might excel elsewhere, but when he comes to the AFCON, his performance will be other because all the matches are tough. The tournament’s opening matches will offer a glimpse into the players’ performances, allowing me the proper chance to assess their capabilities on the grand stage.

Green Lock FC pledges to key into NSF’s grassroots football development vision.

Greenlock’s EVC/Visioneer, Olufunsho Peters (left), presenting the club’s jersey to the NFF President.

By Rasheed Adewuyi

An Abuja-based club, Green Lock FC, has pledged its total support for the grassroots football development programs of the present Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) administration led by Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau.

The club management made this pledge on Wednesday during a courtesy call to the NFF President in his office.

In his response, Gusau said the doors of the Federation will always be open to all individuals who are competent in their areas of jurisdiction to administer football in the right way, with particular emphasis on grassroots development, which is his administration’s cardinal pillar in ensuring that Nigeria Football attains much-desired heights in no distant future.

“You are just starting, and I don’t want you to be deterred by anything because it has to be a gradual process. There are always challenges along the way when you start a new project but do not lose sight of your objective and vision. Allow your vision to guide you and help you overcome all hurdles and obstacles to attaining your goals.“

The Executive Vice Chairman of Green Lock FC, Mr Olufunsho Peters, said he is impressed with what the Federation has achieved under the Gusau administration. He believes it is essential to identify and key into this project for the club’s growth.

“We are here to identify with you, to key into your vision for grassroots football development. We are enamored by what you have been doing and how you have been setting Nigeria Football in a fresh and positive direction,” Peters stated.

Chief Coordinating Executive of Green Lock FC, Mr Olayinka Oladunjoye, also thumbed up the Gusau administration and admitted that identifying with the Federation is the best way for the club to progress.

“We are not just here to show our faces to you, but we truly want to identify with you and your vision for Nigeria Football, and we want to be part of your dream to change the football narrative in the country,” Oladunjoye said.

Also present during the visit were NFF General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, NFF Director of Communications Ademola Olajire, and special assistant to NFF President Abubakar Barde.