African stars descend on Abidjan as Eagles know opponents in 2023 Afcon draws on Thursday

From former Super Eagles star Mikel Obi to Didier Drogba, to Solomon Kalou, Africa’s biggest stars in entertainment and sports are in Abidjan for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 Final Draw on Thursday.

Global music star, AKON, will host the Final Draw which will start at 7 pm or 19h00 local time/) at the breathtaking brand-new Parc Des Expositions venue in Abidjan and be beamed live on CAF TV (YouTube).

The Senegalese hitmaker is a huge football fan and social activist whose ‘Akon Lighting Africa’ project seeks to use solar electricity to help African countries meet their basic electricity needs.

AKON’s hosting of the Final Draw, alongside Kolo Touré, adds even more star power to what is set to be a glitzy, glamorous, eagerly anticipated occasion, as the 24 qualified nations discover their group stage opponents.

The Final Draw will be beamed in over 50 countries, with millions of viewers expected to tune in to the event on CAF’s Official YouTube channel, as well as across CAF’s Global TV partners. 

The 34th edition of the biggest event on African soil takes place in Cote d’Ivoire from 13 January to 11 February 2024.

Delegations from each of the 24 participating nations, CAF legends, international media, CAF commercial partners, showbiz celebrities,

and African leaders will grace the occasion.

While the Draw is scheduled to take place in Abidjan, the whole nation of Cote d’Ivoire is abuzz with African football excitement with Ivorian national flags being proudly hoisted across key national points throughout the country.

The tournament’s official Mascot, “Akwaba” is also visibly seen at airports, hotels, public transportation hubs, city centers, and street poles across all five host cities - warmly welcoming visitors in the native language of Baoulé, which translates to “Welcome”.

Vice-President of the Local Organising Committee, Yacine Idriss Diallo said the Draw was an exciting platform for the country to demonstrate its state of readiness and excitement of hosting Africa next year.

“You can feel the excitement in the air - not just here in Abidjan but across the country. Everywhere you go, people are talking about Thursday evening’s Draw and who they want to see playing against each other. Thanks to our continued efforts, working with CAF and local Government, the country is fully behind this tournament, and starting with the Draw on Thursday, Cote d’Ivoire will demonstrate to Africa and the rest of the world that it is indeed ready to host a successful AFCON”, said Diallo.

The Qualified Nations for the Official Draw:

Cote d’Ivoire (hosts), 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