2022 FIFA World Cup semfinalists Morocco and Super Eagles Group A rivals Guinea-Bissau are expected to arrive in Ivory Coast on Sunday, January 7, for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to begin on January 13.
The two teams are expected to be the first nations to arrive for the tournament ahead of the opening ceremony next Saturday.
Morocco, who made it to the last eight of the AFCON in Cameroon in 2021, are in Group F with two-time champions DR Congo, 2012 winners Zambia, and the Taifa Stars of Tanzania.
The Atlas Lions, winners of the tournament in 1976, will be making their 19th appearance at this year’s AFCON.
Guinea-Bissau, set for their fourth AFCON tournament, are in Group A, where they will face host Ivory Coast in the competition’s opener on January 13 at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe.
The Djurtus are drawn in the group with the Elephants, Nigeria, and Equatorial Guinea.
Also, Morocco’s Group F rivals, Tanzania, are scheduled to touchdown Ivory Coast from Dar es Salaam on Monday, January 8, at midday.
A day later, on Tuesday, January 9, defending champions Senegal, who will begin their title defence on Monday, January 15, will arrive in Abidjan, with their arrival time yet to be determined.
Likewise, record-winners Egypt, who have seven AFCON titles, as well as the Mambas of Mozambique, are scheduled to touchdown in Ivory Coast on the same Tuesday as Senegal, with their arrival times slated for 8 p.m. and 5 p.m. local time, respectively.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is expected to release further updates on the arrival schedules of the other participating teams.
