The 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations enters a pivotal new phase on Thursday with two mouthwatering clashes kicking off the second round of group games with some of the continent’s biggest stars expected to play in the two matches.
Hosts Cote d’Ivoire will rely on top star Sebastian Haller when they take on three-time champions Nigeria at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan.
Striker Victor Osimhen, the CAF African Football of the Year, is also expected to be pivotal for the Super Eagles in the Group A’s headline act.
The Elephants opened their campaign by defeating Guinea-Bissau 2-0 last Saturday thanks to goals from AC Milan’s Franck Kessie and substitute Ibrahim Sangare.
Now they face a sterner test against Nigeria’s Super Eagles, who were held 1-1 by Equatorial Guinea in their first match.
With Nigeria seeking redemption after that opening stumble, an Ivorian win would solidify their status as serious contenders on home soil.
Their last TotalEnergies CAF AFCON meeting was in the 2013 quarters when Nigeria knocked out Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 en route to lifting the trophy.
That Abidjan blockbuster will be followed by another heavyweight clash in Group B as Egypt face Ghana at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny with Mohammed Kudus and Mohamed Salah expected to be the key players for the Black Stars and Pharaohs respectively.
The two AFCON giants, who boast 11 titles between them, are both seeking a response after the Pharaohs drew 2-2 with Mozambique and Ghana lost 2-1 to Cape Verde.
Ghana will also be out for revenge a decade on from Egypt breaking their hearts in the 2010 final in Angola.
With qualification on the line, the stakes could not be higher for two of African football’s storied nations.
After intriguing openers last weekend, these two titanic battles promise more AFCON drama.
Immediately after this first match scheduled to start at 1700 GMT at the Olympique Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe, all eyes will be on the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, where Egypt and Ghana face off in a decisive match in Group B, starting at 2000 GMT.
