The Super Eagles of Nigeria were paired in Group A of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations alongside hosts Ivory Coast at the draw ceremony held at the Parc des Expositions in Abidjan on Thursday night.
The draw ceremony had African legends Didier Drogba and John Mikel Obi as draw assistants likewise reigning African Player of the Year Sadio Mane and and Moroccan fullback Achraf Hakimi.
Nigeria and the Ivory Coast last met at the quarter-final stage of 2013 AFCON in South Africa which the Super Eagles won 2-1 on their way to lifting a third continental title.
Jose Peseiro’s side finished top of Group A during the 2023 qualifiers ahead of Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe while the Elephants enjoyed a bye as tournament hosts.
Nigeria will have to also deal with Guinea-Bissau once again in the tournament proper with Djurtus recording a famous 1-0 win in Abuja before the Super Eagles replicated the same scoreline in Bissau. 2015 AFCON hosts Equatorial Guinea make up the final team in Group A.
It will be an opportunity for talisman Victor Osimhen to witness his first AFCON tournament after missing the previous one in Cameroon due to injury. He will also head to the tournament in high spirits after finishing the qualifiers as the top scorer with 10 goals.
Group A. ✅#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/55dxNrpGnz
— CAF (@CAF_Online) October 12, 2023
In Group B, Egypt will begin their quest for a record-extending eighth AFCON title alongside four-time champions Ghana while there will be a Lusophone affair between Cape Verde and Mozambique.
Group C will see reigning AFCON champions Senegal take on Cameroon, Guinea and neighbours the Gambia.
Group D comprises of 2019 champions Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Angola while Group E is made up of Tunisia, Mali, South Africa and Namibia.
The final group, Group F, puts Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia and Tanzania up against each other.
The groups are set. ✅#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 is now ready to kick off in January! ????????⚽️ pic.twitter.com/Xxanb9FDzp
— CAF (@CAF_Online) October 12, 2023
The draw ceremony witnessed music performances from American-Senegalese pop star Akon as well as Nigerian sensation Yemi Alade and Ivorian musician A’salfo led by his band called Magic System.
The 2023 AFCON will run from January 13, 2024 till February 11.
