The stage is ready for the Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Ivory Coast. As tradition the host team plays the opening match as they will take on Guinea Bissau in group A alongside with Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea. Allowing 24 Teams to participate namely Tanzania, South Africa, Morocco, Mozambique, Senegal, Egypt, Zambia, Namibia, Nigeria, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Ghana, Tunisia, Equatorial Guinea, Burkina Faso Guinea Bissau, DR Congo, Mali, Algeria, Angola, Mauritania, Guinea and Gambia making 24 Teams and 52 matches in total.
The current champions Senegal will be determined to defend there title as Egypt is the most successful team in this cup tournament. The likes of Peter Shalulile, Percy tau, Richard Ofori, Toaster Nsabata, Abdi Hassan Banda, Hakim Ziyech, Sadio Mane, Mohammed kudus, Mohamed Salah, Jordan Ayew and Cheikhou Kouyate are listed amongst players who will represent their Country as they are contesting in the English premier League, Saudi Pro League, Egyptian premier League and South Africa premier League.
CAF president Mr Patrice Motsepe announced AFCON prize Money which has increased by 40 percent, the winner walks away with R130 millions, thew runner up gets R74 million, semi finalist gets R46 million and the Quarter finalist walks away with R24 million in the Africa cup of nations which will begin on the 13th of January till the 11th of February 2024.