The 34th Edition of the Africa Cup of Nations: All You Need to Know
The Africa Cup of Nations, the prestigious tournament that showcases the best of African football, is set to return in January. This 34th edition will see 24 teams from across the continent battle it out for the coveted trophy. Defending champions Senegal are aiming to secure back-to-back wins at next year’s tournament.
The tournament will be hosted by Ivory Coast for the second time, with their previous hosting experience dating back to 1984. Originally scheduled for 2023, the competition was postponed to 2024 due to weather concerns, as announced by the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe.
Some of football’s biggest stars will be competing in the Africa Cup of Nations, including Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Riyad Mahrez, and many more. The final is scheduled to take place on February 11th at the Stade National de la Cote d’Ivoire stadium.
When is the Africa Cup of Nations?
- The tournament will take place from January 2024 to February 2024, with Ivory Coast as the host nation.
- The final match is scheduled for Sunday, February 11th.
- However, the tournament’s timing clashes with the Premier League and other European/Continental competitions, which means clubs may lose some of their top players.
Who is playing in the Africa Cup of Nations?
- Several teams have already qualified for the competition, including Ivory Coast, Morocco, Algeria, South Africa, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Mali, Tunisia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Nigeria, Zambia, Egypt, and Equatorial Guinea.
- Other teams are still in the process of qualifying, such as DR Congo, Mauritania, Cameroon, Namibia, Ghana, Angola, Tanzania, Gambia, Mozambique, and more.
What is the format of the Africa Cup of Nations?
- The 24 qualified teams will be divided into six groups of four teams each for a single round-robin stage.
- The top two teams from each group and the four best third-placed teams will advance to the round of 16.
- The winners of the round of 16 matches will progress to the quarter-finals. The winners of the quarter-finals will then move on to the semi-finals. The losers of the semi-finals will compete in a third-place play-off match. Finally, the winners of the semi-finals will face off in the final to determine the tournament’s champion.
Is the Africa Cup of Nations televised or available for live streaming?
- The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is currently seeking a broadcast partner for the tournament.
- CAF has opened an invitation for broadcast rights for the Africa Cup of Nations.
As football fans eagerly await the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the stage is set for an exciting and fiercely competitive tournament. With top African talents showcasing their skills, the battle for the prestigious trophy promises to captivate audiences around the world.