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The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is set to kick off on January 13 2024, serving football fans across the continent and beyond a highly anticipated slate of competitive fixtures in the group stage.<\/p>\n
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While every match featuring Africa’s premier talents promises entertainment, a few fixtures stand out as must-watch affairs.<\/p>\n
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1. Nigeria v\u00a0Ivory Coast<\/strong><\/p>\n The headliner emerges right out of Group A action on January 18th as regional heavyweights Ivory Coast and Nigeria renew their storied rivalry.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n These two African stalwarts rarely fail to produce fireworks when matched up, featuring well-known stars like Ivorian Wilfried Zaha against reigning African football king and Nigerian ace, Victor Osimhen.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n With the two sides favored to progress, their initial group stage bout could determine who claims top billing.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Time: 17:00 WAT<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n 2. Senegal v\u00a0Cameroon<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n On January 19, Group C’s enduring derby between African champions Senegal and one of the pre-tournament AFCON favorites Cameroon promises a world class display of skill.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Senegal’s Sadio Man\u00e9 may have moved to the middle-east, but the former Liverpool star remains the focal point against Cameroon’s own European icon in Manchester United’s goalkeeper Andr\u00e9 Onana.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This meeting of distinguished managers Aliou Ciss\u00e9 and Rigobert Song serves up worthy of a final itself.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Time: 18:00 WAT<\/p>\n Venue: Stade Charles Konan Banny De Yamoussoukro<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 3. Ghana v Egypt<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In Group B, Ghana’s January 18 battle with record 7-time champions Egypt also deserves marquee status given the history between these regional adversaries.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Ghana will attempt to shackle the fast-flowing Egyptian offense led by\u00a0global superstar Mohamed Salah.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Meanwhile, striker Jordan Ayew spearheads the Black Stars’ penetration of Egypt’s traditionally sturdy defense alongside his brother Andre Ayew, in a classic attack versus defense showdown.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n
Venue: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 4. Tunisia vs Mali<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n While Group E may lack a clear favorite, Tunisia’s clash with Mali on January 20 promises opportunities for individual talents like Tunisian hitman Whabi Khazri and Malian sharpshooter Ibrahima Kon\u00e9 to sway the outcome.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Given Tunisia’s recent AFCON quarterfinal pedigree and with Mali as hard fighting underdogs, their drive to advance from a wide-open group should deliver an enthralling spectacle.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Time: \u00a021:00 WAT<\/p>\n Venue: Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Korhogo<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 5. South Africa v Tunisia<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Lastly on January 24, Group E brings another highly anticipated meeting with South Africa clashing with Tunisia’s traditionally defensively disciplined outfit.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n South Africa will bank on Al Ahly sensation Percy Tau\u00a0penetrating Tunisia’s organized backline to pull an early upset en route to the knockout phase.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Time: 18:00 WAT<\/p>\n Venue: Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Korhogo<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Stuffed with bitter regional rivalries, European league stars, master tacticians and championships hopefuls – AFCON 2023’s group stage serves up no shortage of elite matches\u00a0worth canceling all plans to witness the action unfold.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Ejim Kaycee<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Copyright ANS<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nVenue: Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan<\/p>\n
\nTime: 21:00 WAT<\/p>\n
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