As the anticipation for the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2024 intensifies, Morocco and Guinea Bissau have set the pace by being the first teams to arrive in Abidjan for the prestigious tournament.
The arrival of these teams marks a significant step towards the much-awaited kickoff on Saturday, January 13, 2024.
The Moroccan squad, fresh off their inspiring semi-final journey in the recent FIFA World Cup, touched down at Félix Houphouët Boigny International Airport on Sunday, 7 January at 1:40 pm GMT.
The Atlas Lions, who made a remarkable quarter-final finish in the last edition in Cameroon, are positioned in Group F alongside two-time champions DR Congo, 2012 winners Zambia, and the Taifa Stars of Tanzania.
As the 1976 champions, Morocco’s entry into this year’s competition, their 19th appearance, is laden with expectations and a rich history in the championship.
Accompanying them on the same day, Guinea Bissau arrived at 3:40 pm GMT, setting the stage for what promises to be an enthralling opening to the tournament.
Guinea Bissau, scheduled to face host Cote d’Ivoire in the opening match at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe, is part of a challenging Group A that also includes three-time winners Nigeria.
As teams continue to arrive, Tanzania is expected to land on Monday, 8 January at midday from Dar es Salaam. The following day, on Tuesday, 9 January, will see the arrival of the current African Champions, Senegal, who are aiming to defend the title they won in Cameroon two years ago. Also set to arrive on Tuesday are the record seven-time winners, Egypt, and Mozambique.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed these schedules, with further updates on team arrivals expected. The timings and the sheer enthusiasm of the teams arriving signal the start of what is anticipated to be a fiercely competitive and enthralling tournament.
Fans across the continent and globally are gearing up to witness top-tier African football, with the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2024 promising to be a showcase of skill, passion, and national pride. As the teams settle in and acclimatize to the Ivorian environment, the world eagerly awaits the opening whistle, set to resonate across Africa and beyond.
