Afcon Report

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1

AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT


the MONEY
MATTERS

A REPORT FROM
OUR MEDIA, SPORTS AND
ENTERTAINMENT ADVISORY DESK
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AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT
The prize money of 7
million US D adds an
extra layer of significance
to the competition.

Introduction

I
vory Coast’s triumphant hosting of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON)
soccer competition marks a monumental milestone in the nation’s
journey from turmoil to prosperity. Emerging victorious on home turf,
Ivory Coast celebrated not only the triumph of its football team but
also earned an impressive $7 million, representing a remarkable 40%
increase in the previous competition’s winning prize. This historic event
witnessed the convergence of some of Africa’s most esteemed football talents,
including Nigerian sensation Victor Osimhen, valued at €110 million, alongside
Egyptian hero Mohammed Salah and Moroccan standout Achraf Hakimi, each
valued at €65 million. Additionally, the AFCON showcased some of the highest-
paid coaches in the history of the tournament, with Djamel Belmadi leading the
charge at €208,000 per month, closely followed by Rui Vitoria and Jean-Louis
Gasset.
However, Ivory Coast’s journey to hosting
the AFCON was not merely about football
glory; it symbolized a remarkable economic
turnaround. Just thirteen years ago, the nation
grappled with the aftermath of a devastating
civil war. Yet, on January 13, against the
backdrop of Abidjan’s rejuvenated skyline,
President Alassane Ouattara inaugurated the
AFCON, heralding a new era of progress and
prosperity. With an investment exceeding $4.56
billion, Ivory Coast embarked on an ambitious
infrastructure overhaul, rejuvenating stadiums,
roads, and lodging facilities across five host
cities. Anticipating two million visitors, the
nation aimed to showcase its reliability and
safety, solidifying its stature as an economic
powerhouse in West Africa.
“Quantifying the AFCON’s impact may be challenging,
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but it will undoubtedly yield positive results for


the country’s infrastructure and reputation as
AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT

an attractive investment destination,” remarked


Moutiou Nourou, Abidjan coordinator for the Ecofin
information agency. The AFCON served as a catalyst
for transformative projects, driving economic growth
and fostering investor confidence. Ivory Coast’s
GDP surged from under $43 billion in 2013 to nearly
$70 billion today, positioning it as one of the region’s
fastest-growing economies. This remarkable progress,
coupled with the nation’s stability and export success,
has elevated Ivory Coast as a premier investment
destination in West Africa.
As the AFCON unfolded, Ivory Coast radiated with pride and optimism, underscoring
the nation’s resilience and unity. Amidst the festivities, local businesses seized the
opportunity to showcase their ingenuity and ambition. Dabali Xpress, a burgeoning fast-
food enterprise, emerged as the official food provider for AFCON spectators, exemplifying
the economic dynamism sweeping across the nation.
Yet, amidst the euphoria, challenges persist. Despite strides in poverty reduction,
significant inequalities endure, necessitating continued social interventions. Moreover,
concerns loom over inflation and rising costs of living, exacerbated by external factors
such as the Covid-19 pandemic and global conflicts. Nonetheless, with steadfast support
from international partners and a vision for inclusive growth, Ivory Coast stands poised
to capitalize on the legacy of the CAN, charting a course towards sustained prosperity
and stability.
In this report, the Sports, Media, and Entertainment desk at LIMA Partners delves into
the key discussions surrounding the financial aspects of the AFCON, emphasizing the
profound financial impact of football on the lives of African players, coaches, and the
teams. Additionally, we uncover intriguing insights into the games themselves.
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AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT

Profile of
Host Nation

Name of Country:

1 The Republic of Cote D’ Ivoire.


Population Size: 29.3 million.
Land Size: 322,462 kmsq.

Capital:
2 Political – Yamoussoukro
Economic – Abidjan

Official Language: French

3
Most Popular Land Mark: Our Lady
of Peace of Yamoussoukro Basilica.
(biggest church in the world)

Nickname of the Senior Men’s Football

4 Team : The Elephants.


Star Player: Franck Kessie, Al Ali Saudi
FC ( formerly of Barcelona FC).

5
Sources
Afrik-foot.com., Goal.com
CAF website, Ahramonline.com
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AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT
Number of
Times Won

T
he Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has been won by various teams
throughout its history. These teams have achieved significant success
in the AFCON tournament, with Egypt being the most successful,
having won the championship a record seven times. The teams with the
most titles are as follows:

No Teams Winners Number


Times
1 Egypt 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010 7
2 Cameroon 1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, 2017 5
3 Ghana 1963, 1965, 1978, 1982 4
4 Nigeria 1980, 1994, 2013 3
5 Ivory Coast 1992, 2015,2023 3
6 DR Congo 1974, 1968 2
7 Algeria 1990, 2019 2
8 Ethiopia - 1962 1
9 South Africa 1996 1
10 Sudan 1970 1
11 Tunisia 2004 1
12 Morocco 1976 1
13 Senegal 2021 1
Top
Ranked
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The top five ranked teams at Afcon 2023,


AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT

Teams
based on both continental and global rankings,
showcase the competitive nature of the
tournament:

1.MOROCCAN 2.SENEGALESE NATIONAL


NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOOTBALL TEAM:
Team: Nickname: Lions of Teranga
FIFA Ranking (as of December 2023): 20th
Nickname: Lions of the Atlas
Notable Achievements: Regular participant
FIFA Ranking (as of December 2023): 13th in FIFA World Cup, reached the quarterfinals
Notable Achievements: Qualified for multiple in the 2018 World Cup, strong presence in the
FIFA World Cups and reached the semi-finals Africa Cup of Nations.
in the recent past World cup, won the Africa Performance in Afcon 2023: The Lions
Cup of Nations in 1976. of Teranga were deemed as one of the
Performance in Afcon 2023: Morocco cruised favorites to win the Afcon and that opinion
was further reiterated by their dominant
past the group stages with 2 wins, 1 draw and
showing in the group stages, winning all
0 losses, thus topping the group. However, their matches comprehensively cruising into
they were downed by the Bafana Bafana Boys their Round of 16 clash with the hosts, Ivory
(South Africa) in the Round of 16, this came as a Coast. The Lions were however stopped by
shock to a lot of sports fanatics following their the Elephants in a fierce battle which could
achievements in the World cup in Qatar. only be separated by Penalties.

3.TUNISIAN NATIONAL
FOOTBALL TEAM:
Nickname: Eagles of Carthage
FIFA Ranking (as of December 2023): 28th
Notable Achievements: Regular participant in
FIFA World Cup, won the Africa Cup of Nations in
2004.
Performance in Afcon 2023: The Carthage eagles
refused to fly at the Afcon, they were rock bottom
of Group E with 2 points. They were stunned by
Namibia a relative minnow in African football and
only managed 2 draws with Mali and South Africa
leading them to the exit of the tournament.
4.ALGERIAN NATIONAL

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FOOTBALL TEAM:

AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT


Nickname: Desert Foxes
FIFA Ranking (as of December 2023): 30th
Notable Achievements: Won the Africa
Cup of Nations in 1990, qualified for
multiple FIFA World Cups.
Performance in Afcon 2023: The desert
foxes with their talismanic caption
Riyad Mahrez, suffered similar fate of the
Tunisian team, by drawing 2 matches and
being beaten by minnows Mauritania.
They exited the group stages with 2 points
and their tails between their legs.

Performance in Afcon 2023: The North


5.EGYPTIAN NATIONAL African giants were far from impressive in
FOOTBALL TEAM: the tournament, only managing 3 draws in
the group stages but slipping into the Round
Nickname: The Pharaohs
of 16 due to equally shocking performances
FIFA Ranking (as of December 2023): 33rd by other footballing royalty such as Ghana.
There they met the determined DR Congo,
Notable Achievements: Most successful
who made it to the semi-finals, and were
African team in terms of Africa Cup of
beaten on penalties sending them back to
Nations titles, qualified for multiple FIFA
the Land of the Pharaohs.
World Cups
Lowest T
he countries with the lowest FIFA
10

rankings that have qualified for the


AFCON 2023 are Guinea-Bissau,

Ranked
with ranking 103, Equatorial Guinea, 110,
AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT

Mozambique, 111, Tanzania, 121 and The


Gambia with a rank of 126. These teams

Teams
secured their place in the tournament
despite having lower FIFA rankings
compared to some of the traditional football
powerhouses in Africa.

GUINEA-BISSAU
Nickname: Djurtus
FIFA Ranking (as of December 2023): 103rd
Performance in Afcon 2023: drawn
in group A with heavyweight Nigeria,
Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea, they
conceded defeat and placed fourth.

MOZAMBIQUE
Nickname: Mambas
FIFA Ranking (as of December 2023): 111th
Performance in Afcon 2023: placed fourth
in group (B) in the just ended Africa Cup
of Nations (AFCON) 2024 and could not
advance from the group stage. However,
their presence marks a significant
milestone and carries the hopes of a
passionate nation.

TANZANIA
Nickname: Taifa Stars
FIFA Ranking (as of December 2023): 121st
Performance in Afcon 2023: The
Tanzanians conceded a 3:0 defeat in their
opening match against Morocco and
consequently emerged fourth in Group F
after a draw with DR Congo and Zambia.

THE GAMBIA
Nickname: Scorpions
FIFA Ranking (as of December 2023): 126th
Performance in Afcon 2023: The Gambians
also emerged fourth in Group C after a tough
tournament with Senegal, Cameroon and
Guinea.
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AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT

Prize Money
What is the money up for grabs for all the 24
nations competing for AFCON 2023?

T
he Confederation of African Football has set a prize pool of $32m for the AFCON
2023 with the winner bagging a whopping amount of $7m. This amount has
seen a 40% rise from the previous finals with the AFCON 2019 winner getting
$5m.

The runner-up of the tournament took home a sum of $4m which is $1.5m
dollars more than what was awarded to Egypt during the AFCON 2021.
The winning prize of the losing semi-finalists and the losing quarter-finalists have also seen
an upsurge from what the previous season’s winners bagged.

The CAF decided to increase the prize money for all the involved teams with the losing semi-
finalists taking home $2.5m and the losing quarter-finalists receiving $1.3m at the AFCON
2023, compared to the 2021 AFCON where the losing semi-finalists were given $2.2m and the
losing quarter-finalists were given $1.18m.

PLACE PRIZE MONEY


Winner $7,000,000
Runners-up $4,000,000
Semi-finalists (2 teams) $2,500,000 for each team
Quarter-finalists (4 teams) $1,300,000 for each team
Round of 16 (8 teams) $800,000 for each team
The two (2) teams ranked 3 in their group
rd
$700,000 for each team
but fail to qualify for the round of 16 (2 teams)
The teams ranked 4th in each of the 6 groups $500,000 for each team
(6 teams)
TOTAL $ 32 million
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Tickets cost for

AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT


matches in the AFCON
tournament

T
he ticket prices for the Total Energies Africa Cup
of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 varied across three
categories:

• Category three: 1,000 to 5,000 FCFA ($1.60 to $8.00 US dollars)


• Category two: 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA ($8.00 to $16.00 US dollars)
• Category one: 10,000 to 15,000 FCFA ($16.00 to $24.00 US dollars).

The over-the-counter ticket sales were available in 12 cities and towns across
Cote d’Ivoire. Additionally, CAF introduced online ticket sales for football
fans, with a limit of 6 tickets per buyer, to enhance ticket accessibility and
ensure an optimal experience for all fans attending the Africa Cup of Nation.
14

Comparison Of 2023
AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT

AFCON Prize Money


To Other International
Tournaments:
TOURNAMENT WINNER’S PRIZE MONEY
CONCACAF Gold Cup $ 1 million
AFC Asian Cup 2024 $ 5 million
COPA AMERICA $ 6.5 million
AFCON $ 7 million
UEFA Euro $ 8.6 million
2022 WORLD CUP $ 42 million

In summary, the prize money for the Africa Cup of Nations is quite lower than that offered to
the winners of the World Cup and the Copa America however, it has seen
a significant increase in recent years. The increase in prize money reflects the growing
popularity and importance of the tournament, as well as the investment made by the host
country; Ivory Coast, which spent $1 billion on infrastructure and facilities.
The prize money serves as a source of motivation and reward for the players and the national
teams who have to manage the challenges of playing in the middle of the European club
15
The increase in prize

AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT


money reflects the growing
popularity and importance
of the tournament, as well
as the investment made
by the host country; Ivory
Coast
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5 Most Expensive
AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT

Squad at AFCON 2023

€349.75
Million
€347
Million €334
Million
€274
Million
€196
Million

Nigeria Morocco Ivory Senegal Ghana


Coast

SOURCE: sports brief .com (https://sportsbrief.com/football/56081-afcon-2023-


top-10-highest-paid-coaches-tournament/)
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5 Most Paid

AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT


Coaches at
AFCON 23

Djamel
Belmadi
(Algeria)

D
jamel Belmadi, born on March 25, 1976,
in Champigny-sur-Marne, France, is a
professional football coach and former
player of Algerian descent. During his
playing career, he represented several clubs,
including Paris Saint-Germain, Martigues,
Marseille, and Cannes. He also had a brief loan
spell at Manchester City. Belmadi completed a
20-cap international career with Algeria, during
which he scored 5 goals. After retiring as a player,
he transitioned to coaching and has managed
various teams, including Lekhwiya, Qatar B, and
Al-Duhail. Since August 2018, he has been the
manager of the Algeria national team. Belmadi

€208,000
has had a successful coaching career, leading
Algeria to victory in the Africa Cup of Nations in
2019. His preferred formation is 4-3-3 attacking,
per month and he holds a UEFA Pro License.
18
AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT

Rui Vitória
(Egypt)

R
ui Vitória is a 53-year-old Portuguese
football manager and former player
who played as a midfielder. He has
had a successful coaching career,
managing various teams, including Benfica,
Guimarães, and Al Nassr. He has also managed
the Spartak Moscow and Egypt national teams.
Vitória has won several titles. He has been
praised for his tactical acumen and his ability to
develop young players. Vitória has been critical
of Liverpool for suggesting that Mohamed
Salah should return home, stating that the club
was wrong to do so. His current contract with
the Egypt national team runs until 2026.

€200,000
per month
19
AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT
Jean-Louis
Gasset
(Ivory Coast)

J
ean-Louis Gasset is a French
former midfielder and a current
football manager. He was born on
December 9, 1953, in Montpellier,
France. Gasset has managed various
football clubs, including Saint-Étienne,
Bordeaux, and the Ivory Coast national
team. As a player, he spent his entire
career with his hometown club,
Montpellier HSC, and led them to victory
in the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 1999. Gasset
is known for his coaching experience
and has a preferred formation of 4-3-3
attacking. He is currently 70 years old
and is coaching the Ivory Coast national
team

€108,000
per month
20
AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT

Jose Peseiro
(Nigeria)

J
ose Peseiro is a Portuguese football
manager and former player who was born
on April 4, 1960, in Coruche, Portugal. He
played as a forward and spent his playing
career in the lower divisions of Portuguese
football. Peseiro has managed various football
clubs, including Sporting CP, FC Porto, and SC
Braga in Portugal, as well as the national teams
of Venezuela and Nigeria. He has been coaching
since 1994 and has spent his first eight years
as a manager in the third and fourth tiers of
Portuguese football.
Peseiro helped C.D. Nacional to promote to the
Primeira Liga in just three seasons
He is known for his tactical knowledge and his
preferred formation is 4-3-3
Peseiro is currently the head coach of the Nigeria
national football team

€70,000
per month
21
AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT
Walid
Regragui
(Morocco)

W
alid Regragui, born on
September 23, 1975, in Corbeil-
Essonnes, France, is a Moroccan
professional football manager
and former player who played as a right-
back. He is the head coach of the Morocco
national team Regragui has had a successful
managerial career, leading the Morocco
national team to the semi-finals of the FIFA
World Cup 2022

He has also managed clubs such as FUS, Al-


Duhail, and Wydad AC
As a former player, he was a defender and
played for Grenoble Foot 38
Regragui is known for his contributions to
Moroccan football and his achievements as a
coach and player.

€60,000
per month
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AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT
5 Highest Valued Players
At The AFCON 2023

Victor Mohamed Achraf


Osimhen Salah (Egypt) - Hakimi
(Nigeria) Valued at (Morocco) -
Valued at
€110 €65
million
Valued at
€65
million million

Edmond
Mohammed Tapsoba
Kudus (Ghana) - (Burkina
Faso)
Valued at
Valued at
€45
million €40
million
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AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT

Victor
Osimhen
(Nigeria)

V
ictor Osimhen, born on December 29, 1998, is a
Nigerian professional footballer who plays as
a striker for Serie A club Napoli and the Nigeria
national team. Known for his elite finishing, pace,
strength, and athleticism, Osimhen has established himself
as one of the best strikers in the world. He stands at 1.86 m
tall and is recognized for his significant contributions on
the field. Osimhen joined SSC Napoli on September 1, 2020,
and his current contract with the club expires on June 30,
2026. He has been a key player for both his club and the
Nigerian national team, showcasing his exceptional goal-
scoring abilities and overall impact on the game. Osimhen
has also expressed his ambitions to play in the Premier
League in the future, indicating his aspirations for further
success in his career.

Valued at

€110
million
25
AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT
Mohamed
Salah - (Egypt)

M
ohamed Salah, also known as Mo Salah, is an
Egyptian professional footballer who plays as a
right winger or forward for Premier League club
Liverpool and the Egypt national team. He is
widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation
and one of the greatest African players of all time. Salah
has achieved significant success, including winning the
Premier League and the UEFA Champions League with
Liverpool. He has also been named the African Footballer
of the Year multiple times and has received numerous
individual accolades for his exceptional performance on the
field. Salah is known for his clinical finishing, dribbling, and
Valued at speed, and he has been a prolific goal scorer throughout his

€65
career. He is considered a symbol of national pride in Egypt
for his achievements and was named in Time magazine’s
list of the 100 most influential people in 2019
Additionally, he has been a key player for Liverpool, scoring

million a record 32 goals in his first season back in the Premier


League
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AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT

Achraf
Hakimi
(Morocco) -

A
chraf Hakimi is a 24-year-old Moroccan
professional footballer who plays as a right-
back or right winger for Ligue 1 club Paris
Saint-Germain and the Morocco national
team. He has been a highly regarded player, known
for his speed, technical skills, and attacking prowess.
However, he has also been the subject of significant off-
field controversy, including a high-profile divorce and
a rape allegation. Despite these challenges, Hakimi’s
on-field performances and achievements have earned
him recognition, including being named Footballer
of the Year and winning various titles such as the
Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup. His
career has been marked by both success on the pitch
and personal challenges off the pitch.

Valued at

€65
million
27
Mohammed

AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT


Kudus (Ghana)

M
ohamed Kudus is a 23-year-old Ghanaian
professional footballer who currently plays
as an attacking midfielder or a right winger
for Premier League club West Ham United.
Born on August 2, 2000, in Accra, Ghana, Kudus stands
at 177cm tall and has represented Ghana at various
levels, including the Ghana U17, Ghana U20, and Ghana
national teams. Kudus began his professional career
with Danish club FC Nordsjælland, after being scouted
from the Right to Dream Academy, where he made 57
appearances and scored 14 goals.
He then joined Ajax in the Eredivisie, where he made
16 appearances and scored 6 goals. In 2023, Kudus
transferred to West Ham United, where he has made
13 appearances and scored 9 goals. Kudus has been
praised for his dribbling skills, which are considered
very strong. He has also been called up to the Ghana
national team, making his debut on November 14, 2019.
In the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Kudus scored two goals in
a match against South Korea, cementing a 3-2 win for
Ghana. Kudus has a market value of €45 million and
is represented by Supernova Management. He has a
contract with West Ham United that expires on June
30, 2028, with an option for a further year.

Valued at

€45
million
28
AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT

Edmond
Tapsoba
(Burkina Faso)

E
dmond Tapsoba, born on February 2, 1999,
in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, is a 24-year-
old center-back who currently plays for
Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the German
Bundesliga. Tapsoba began his professional
career with Salitas FC in 2014 before moving to US
Ouagadougou, Leixoes SC Matosinhos, and Vitoria
SC Guimaraes. He joined Bayer 04 Leverkusen
in 2020. Tapsoba has played 114 matches in the
Bundesliga, all for Bayer 04 Leverkusen, and
has won 57 of them. He is known for his speed,
strength, passing ability, and composure, and has
been compared to Jérôme Boateng. Tapsoba has
been in exceptional form for Bayer 04 Leverkusen,
and his market value is estimated at €40 million.
He has also made 36 appearances for the Burkina
Faso national team. Tapsoba’s impressive
performances have reportedly attracted interest
from clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur

Valued at

€40
million
29
Coaches Who Lost

AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT


Their Jobs After The
AFCON 2023

Chris Houghton - Jean-louis Gasset Djamel Belmadi


Ghana Ivory Coast Algeria

Adel Amrouche – Jalel Kadri


Tom Saintfiet
Tanzania -suspended Tunisia
after 8 match CAF Ban Gambia

SOURCE: TRANSFER MARKT.COM (https://


www.transfermarkt.com/afrika-cup-quali/
marktwerte/pokalwettbewerb/AFCQ) season
and the African Cup of Nations.
Pedro Goncalves
Angola
AFCON 2023:
30

Interesting Facts So Far


AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT

1.⁠ ⁠Morocco, Egypt, Ghana and Algeria were eliminated by underdogs.


2.⁠ ⁠DR Congo qualified for the Quarter Finals without winning a game in regular
time. They have four draws.
3.⁠ ⁠A Club’s Defender, Emilio Nsue is the current Top Scorer with 5 goals in 4
games.
He plays as a Right back in the Spanish third tier, and as a Winger for Equatorial
Guinea.
4.⁠ ⁠Namibia and Mauritania qualified for their first ever Round of 16. Mauritania
beat Algeria 1-0, while Namibia beat Tunisia 1-0.
5.⁠ ⁠Egypt qualified for the Round of 16 without winning a single game. They
drew thrice in the group stage.
6.⁠ ⁠A Mauritanian Player is called AK-47. His name is Aboubakar Kamara and he
wore jersey no. 47 at Fulham.
7.⁠ ⁠Cote d’Ivoire narrowly qualified with 3 points as number 4 in the Third Best
Place Rankings in the group stage.
They went on to eliminate defending champions, Senegal by beating them 1-1
(5-4 on penalties) in the AFCON Round of 16.
8.⁠ ⁠FIFA’s five highest-ranked countries at AFCON; Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia,
Algeria and Egypt are all out of the tournament before the semifinals stage.
9.⁠ ⁠None of the quarterfinalists from the AFCON 2021 will feature in the last eight
at the AFCON 2023.
10.⁠ Five West African countries, Two Southern African countries and One Cen-
tral African country have qualified for the AFCON 2023 quarter-final.
11. All the group winners from each group were eliminated at either the Round
of 16 stage or the quarter finals stage at this AFCON:

•⁠ ⁠Group A: Equatorial Guinea ( Round of 16)


•⁠ ⁠Group B: Cape Verde( Quarter Finals)
•⁠ ⁠Group C: Senegal ( Round of 16)
•⁠ ⁠Group D: Angola ( Quarter Finals)
•⁠ ⁠Group E: Mali ( Quarter Finals)
•⁠ ⁠Group F: Morocco ( Round of 16)
31
AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT
Facts Corner

Interesting Records
The tournament boasts some remarkable records which are:
1. Most Titles: Egypt holds the record with 7 championships.
2. Most Goals: Samuel Eto’o from Cameroon has scored the 18 goals in
AFCON history.
3. Most Appearances: Rigobert Song of Cameroon holds the record for the
most appearances in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, with
36 matches played from 1998 to 2010
4. Biggest Win: Ivory Coast holds the record for the biggest win, defeating
Ethiopia 6-1 in 1968.
5. Longest Unbeaten Run: Ghana had a remarkable unbeaten streak of 15
matches between 2008 and 2013.
6. Youngest Goal Scorer: Nwankwo Kanu from Nigeria became the youngest
goal scorer at AFCON at the age of 17 years and 236 days.
7. Oldest Goal Scorer: Hossam Hassan from Egypt holds the record for being
the oldest goal scorer at AFCON at the age of 39 years and 6 months.
8. Andre Dede Ayew ; captain of Ghana’s Black Stars, etched his name in
Africa Cup of Nations history on Sunday, becoming only the third player
to participate in eight editions of the tournament.
9. Teams winning on debut: Egypt (1957), Ghana (1963), South Africa (1996)
10. Consecutive title wins: Egypt ( 2006,2008,2010)
11. Most consecutive appearances: Tunisia (1994-2023)
12. Youngest goalscorer: Shiva N’Zigou was 16 years and 93 days old when he
scored for Gabon against South Africa in January 2000.
13. Fastest Goal; 1st minute Hassan El-Shazly for Egypt against Ivory Coast in
1974.
14. Most goals in a single match: Laurent Pokou scored 5 goals for Ivory coast
against Ethiopia.
15. Most goals in a single tournament; Ndaye Mulamba scored 9 goals for
Zaire in 1974 tournament.
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AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT

IVORY COAST –
PROFILE (AFCON 2023)

I
vory Coast also known as the “Ele- a relatively inexperienced Interim manager,
phants” is one of Africa’s major forces in Emerse Fae, who did the wonders.
the Africa Cup of Nations. Ivory Coast
have had the opportunity to participate He introduced experienced players who had
in the AFCON tournament twenty-five been benched by the previous coach, players
(25) times and have made five (5) appearances such as Michel Seri and Max Gradel. He also
at the finals. gave the starting berth to player like Sebastien
They have won the tournament three times; Haller and Simon Adingra (formerly of the
most recently as hosts in 2023, 2015 and 1992. Right to Dream Academy in Ghana).
Ivory Coast has also finished as runner up
twice, in 2012 and 2006. They were termed the “Lucky Elephants” as
they always found a way to claw their way back
into a game as long as the final whistle had not
Ivory Coast’s Path to the Finals been blown. Scoring late goals became their
trademark and clutch performances by “The
In an act of defiance and dogged stubborn-
General” Frank Kessie dragged the Elephants
ness, the Elephants of Ivory Coast downed the
over the line.
high-flying Super Eagles of Nigeria in the final
In the Round of 16, Ivory Coast scored a late
of the Afcon 23, this being their second time
equaliser against the defending champions
meeting in the tournament. The Elephants
Senegal and won on penalties. Another late
were initially counted out as they had an abys-
goal ensured that they sent the game against
mal and shambolic showing in the group stag-
Mali to extra time before piercing the hearts
es with two (2) defeats from three (3) matches
of the Malians with a final kick in the 120th
and only scrapping through into the knock-
minute of extra time to advance to the last four,
out stages by qualifying as one of the best 3rd
where a Sebastien Haller’s strike was enough
placed teams in the group stages. There was
for the hosts to qualify for the final in dramatic
some controversy in their camp as the Coach,
fashion.
Jean-louis Gasset, was fired and replaced by
33
AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT
AFCON 23
Winning
Coaches’
Profile

E
merse Faé is a former professional
footballer and current manager of
the Ivory Coast national football
team. Born in France, Faé played
for France national teams at youth
level and for the Ivory Coast national team at
senior international level. He has managed
various teams, including Clermont B, OGC
Nice Youth, and the Ivory Coast U23 team,
before being appointed as caretaker manager
of the Ivory Coast national team during the
2023 Africa Cup of Nations round of 16. Faé
was named the best coach of the 2023 Africa
Cup of Nations
34
AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT

Awards at
AFCON 2023
•⁠ Simon Adingra, Ivory Coast (Brighton)- TotalEnergies Man of the
Match (finals).
•⁠ Simon Adingra, Ivory Coast (Brighton)- – Best Young player Award.
•⁠ William Troost-Ekong, Nigeria (PAOK Thessaloniki) - TotalEnergies
Best Player award.
•⁠ Emilio Nsue Lopez, Equitorial Guinea (CF intercity) - PUMA Golden
Boot award (5 goals).
•⁠ Ronwen Williams, South Africa (Mamelodi Sundowns) - Ecobank
Best Goal Keeper.
•⁠ Third Place team (Bronze medal) - South Africa.
•⁠ Fair Play Air Cote d’Ivoire Team – South Africa.

The ceremony also included the official handing over of the CAF
Flag to the Royal Moroccan Federation to signify the handing
over of the hosting reigns to the country for the competition set
to take place in 2026.
35 AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT
36 AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT
37 AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT
38
AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS — REPORT

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