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In preparation for Africa’s biggest football bonanza, Ivory Coast has planned six competition stadiums across five cities – Abidjan, Yamoussoukro, Bouaké, Korhogo, and San Pedro.
Ivory Coast is on a determined course to finalize its sporting infrastructure in preparation for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), set to take place from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
Representatives from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), along with the Ivorian Minister of Sports, announced an expected completion date of August 2023 during CAF’s General Assembly.
Sansan Adamo, representative of the Secretary General of the Confederation, expressed confidence during a press conference at the Alassane Ouattara stadium in Abidjan.
"Mid-August or the end of August, CAF will receive all the infrastructure since, after the draw on October 12, the qualified teams will visit the stadiums. We are on schedule," Adamo affirmed.
Backing these assertions, the Ivorian Minister of Sports, Paulin Danho, underscored the country's anticipation.
"Ivory Coast has been waiting for this moment for 40 years and I confirm the availability of the infrastructure that the country will make available to CAF in August," he declared.
The infrastructure in question includes six competition stadiums spread across five cities – Abidjan, Yamoussoukro, Bouaké, Korhogo, and San Pedro.
Additionally, 24 training pitches that adhere to CAF standards, i.e., four pitches per stadium, will be delivered.
Contrary to initial expectations, the country failed to deliver the infrastructure by June 30, as stipulated by CAF guidelines that require completion six months before the competition's start.
Nonetheless, the new commitment to an August completion suggests Côte d'Ivoire is steadfast in overcoming this delay.
Two of the stadiums in Yamoussoukro and Bouaké are set and have received the green light, having successfully hosted the Ivory Coast vs Zambia match in June, and the Ivory Coast vs Comoros match in March.
However, the remaining four stadiums – Ebimpé, San Pedro, Korhogo, and the Félix Houphouët-Boigny ("Félicia") – remain under scrutiny.
To validate these facilities, Sanson Adamo announced that CAF would organize the Women's Champions League in Côte d'Ivoire.
He underscored, "There will be no excuses as African football has reached a certain level."
In terms of accommodations, Paulin Danho revealed plans for 32 AFCON cities built to isolate athletes and ensure team safety, alongside luxury hotels.
The tournament hosts are leaving no stone unturned to make the event a success. Critical tests for the yet-to-be-approved stadiums are slated for the coming months.
Korhogo stadium will host a match against Lesotho in September 2023 during the final day of AFCON qualifiers.
Ebimpé and Félicia stadiums are reserved for friendly matches against Morocco and another country in October, while San Pedro's approval might follow a top flight match in September.
Despite the infrastructure hurdles, 15 nations, including defending champions Senegal, record winners Egypt, 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco, and former champions Algeria and Nigeria, have already qualified for Africa’s biggest football showpiece.
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