The 2023 (Yes, it’s the 2023) Africa Cup of Nations begins this weekend with the host Cote d’Ivoire playing Guinea Bissau. The Super Eagles of Nigeria will play their first game against Equitoria Guinea on Sunday. It is the 34th edition of the biennial African association football tournament organised by Confederation of African Football (CAF). The reigning champions is Senegal and will be the fourth team to retain the cup and the first since Egypt won three in a row between 2006 and 2010 if it wins the competition. Tournament predictions by Opta put Senegal ahead of Cote d’Ivoire, Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, and Nigeria in that order. 24 teams are participating in this year’s edition in six different stadiums across the country – Amadou Gon Coulibaly in Korhogo, Stade de laPaix in Bouake, Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro, Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro, Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, and Alassane Quattara Stadium, both in Abidjan. Nigeria is making its 19th AFCON appearance, having been crowned champions three times in 1980, 1994, and 2013.
