Akon, the renowned global music star, is set to host the final draw of the 2023 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire. The draws take place today, Thursday, 12th of October 2023 at the Parc Des Expositions in Abidjan.
Akon, who hails from Senegal, is not only known for his chart-topping hits like “Lonely” and “I Wanna Love You” but also for his passion for football and social activism, exemplified by his Akon Lighting Africa initiative, an initiative meant to help Africans get low-cost yet sustainable energy through solar power. The 34th edition of this prestigious African tournament is slated to take place in Cote d’Ivoire, spanning from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
The nations that have qualified for the final draw include the host, Côte d’Ivoire, Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Congo DR, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, and Zambia.
The seeding for the official final draw is based on the latest FIFA rankings. The 24 qualified teams have been allocated four pots based on the rankings. CAF has confirmed that four points will be used for the official draw.
Pot 1 undoubtedly has the cream of the crop and will see the host nation, Côte d’Ivoire, share the stage with the highest-ranking nations in African football. Among these esteemed contenders is Morocco, a team that showcased their prowess as semi-finalists in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Alongside them, we have the reigning African Champions, Senegal. Adding to this pot’s allure are the formidable footballing nations of Tunisia, champions in 2004, Algeria, reigning victors from 2019, and Egypt, a team boasting a record number of African Cup of Nations titles.
Pot 2 will feature six high-caliber sides that have earned their place in the tournament. Among them, are the renowned Super Eagles of Nigeria, who clinched the trophy in 2013 in South Africa, and Cameroon, boasting an impressive five African Cup of Nations championships. The pot gets even more competitive with the inclusion of Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Congo DR.
In Pot 3 we find a captivating blend of emerging and seasoned teams. Cape Verde, a nation continually on the rise in African football, will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Zambia, the champions of 2012. This pot also hosts the 1996 champions, South Africa, as well as the gritty teams of Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, and Mauritania, promising thrilling matchups and fierce competition.
Pot 4 accommodates the lowest-ranking teams in the tournament. Angola, who hosted the competition in 2010, will aim to make their presence felt once more, sharing this pot with the spirited squads of Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Namibia, The Gambia, and Tanzania. Their underdog status might just pave the way for unexpected upsets and moments of brilliance, adding a layer of unpredictability to the upcoming tournament.