2023 AFCON: CAF unveils schedule; Super Eagles to know foes in September

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) have unveiled the calendar for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote D’Ivoire.

Asides from hosts Cote D’Ivoire, four teams have already qualified for the tournament- Algeria, Morocco, South Africa, and Senegal.

Nigeria could have sealed their spot in Cote D’Ivoire with the available six points from their double-header against Guinea-Bissau.

However, they fluffed their chance, losing the first leg at home. But they redeemed themselves with a win in the second leg at the September 12 Stadium in Bissau with a 1-0 win.

Nonetheless, the Super Eagles are still favourites to qualify from group A as they sit atop with nine points and two games left.

Nigeria play Sierra Leone next in June, and a draw would seal their spot at the 2023 AFCON.

Ahead of the competition, CAF have revealed the schedule for the tournament. The group stage draw will take place in September after the final round of qualifying games.

The Super Eagles could be one of the top seeds because of they are the 5th best team in Africa according to FIFA. As such, they could get an easy draw in the first round.

The competition will kick off on the 13th of January at the Alassane Ouattara stadium in Abidjan. Then the final will be played just 29 days later.

The last time Cote D’Ivoire hosted the AFCON was in 1984, and Nigeria finished second. But Coach Jose Peseiro has stated that he wants to win the competition next year. The Super Eagles boast of a lot of quality, but if Peseiro wants to achieve his aim, he would have to improve on the team.