Ivory Coast opens two more AFCON stadiums

AFCON 2023 Ivory Coast opens two more AFCON stadiums

Shafic Kiyaga • 10:33 - 13.09.2023

Out of the six venues designated for the event in January 2024, two had already hosted test matches.

Ivory Coast’s Laurent Pokou and the Alassane Ouattara stadiums have been officially inaugurated, as preparations for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations reach another milestone.

With Ivorian and CAF officials joining hands for the inauguration, the excitement surrounding the tournament is soaring.

Out of the six venues designated for the event in January 2024, two had already hosted test matches.

These are Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro and Stade de la Paix, in Bouaké.

The newly-constructed Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro became the latest jewel to be unveiled to the African football scene on Saturday.

The Laurent Pokou Stadium in Ivory Coast | Photo Credit: Getty Images (Sia Kambou)

It hosted its first official match, with Cote d’Ivoire triumphing over Lesotho 1-0 in a AFCON qualifier.

Nottingham Forest midfielder Ibrahim Sangaré etched his name in history by scoring the inaugural goal at this state-of-the-art venue.

Named in honour of the iconic Ivorian striker Laurent Pokou, the stadium holds a capacity of 20,000 spectators.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe underwent its test as it hosted a friendly match between Cote d’Ivoire and Mali.

The Alassane Outtara Stadium in Ivory Coast also called Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé | Photo Credit: Courtesy

Unfortunately, the game had to be halted at halftime due to a heavy downpour, rendering the pitch unplayable.

This incident underscores one of the major reasons the tournament was rescheduled from its traditional July-August slot to January-February 2024.

Idriss Yacine Diallo, COCAN Vice-President and FIF President, expressed his satisfaction with the preparations, emphasizing the commitment of the Ivorian authorities to provide optimal conditions for the participating teams.

"We are convinced that, as was the case in Yamoussoukro during the inauguration of the Charles Konan Banny Stadium and in Bouaké on the occasion of the inauguration of the Stade de la Paix, the Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro met all our expectations," he said.

Meanwhile, all 24 teams that will compete at the 34th edition of the AFCON have been confirmed, with Cameroon and Namibia the latest and final entrants for the tournament.

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