The draw for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is set to take centre stage in Ivory Coast today.
With the tournament set to get underway in January, all 24 teams, including the Super Eagles of Nigeria will know their opponents after all teams have been grouped into six groups of four.
AFCON heroes John Obi Mikel, Achraf Hakimi, Didier Drogba and Sadio Mane and Achraf Hakimi will be among the star faces to pick the balls and select the groupings for all 23 games, Senegalese musician Akon the overall name in charge of proceedings.
Follow the Afcon 2023 draw live as it unfolds and we bring you all the top action, with a focus on the Super Eagles opponents.
Akon arrives for the AFCON 2023 draw
Music Superstar Akon will take charge of proceedings for the upcoming draw. Akon arrives to the stage looking rather smug in a multi-coloured cargo pants, simple white shirt and a brown cardigan to go with.
As earlier mentioned, AFCON heroes John Obi Mikel, Achraf Hakimi, Didier Drogba and Sadio Mane and Achraf Hakimi will assist Akon for the draw.
The #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 draw host @Akon is here and the stage is set!
30 minutes to go.. ⏳ pic.twitter.com/TVYvqfpSvk
— CAF (@CAF_Online) October 12, 2023
Yaya Toure showcases AFCON 2023 Trophy
Ivory coast and Manchester City great Yaya Toure was the legend to put the Afcon 2023 trophy on display to those present at the draw and for viewers all over the world. In a light joke shared by Akon, the musician commented on how ‘heavy' the trophy was.
Patrice Motsepe makes bold claim
In a speech made by CAF president Patrice Motsepe, the 61-year-old boldly claimed that an African side would win the World Cup soon enough as African football is currently taking a rapid positive growth.
John Mikel Obi, Achraf Hakimi, Sadio Mane and Didier Drogba arrive on stage
Four out of the biggest names in African football over the past decade join Akon on stage in front of all four pots. Drogba takes charge of pot 1, Mane for pot 2, Hakimi for pot 3 and Mikel Obi for pot four.
Super Eagles and Black Stars in Pot 2
Three-time AFCON Champions and one of the tournament favourites in Nigeria have been placed in pot 2 for the AFCON 2023 Group stage draw, alongside Cameroon, Mali, Ghana, Democratic Republic of Congo and Burkina Faso.
The Super Eagles will be happy to avoid the likes of fellow West African sides in Ghana and Mali, as well as last tournament's hosts in Cameroon.
Bafana Bafana in Pot 3
South Africa will come into the tournament as one of the sides to beat, owing to their improvement over recent time. For the Afcon 2023 Group stage draw, Bafana Bafana are placed alongside 2012 champions Zambia, Cape Verde, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea and Mauritania.
One hour to the AFCON 2023 draw
It is officially one hour to the Afcon 2023 draw and the excitement continues to build up ahead of the showpiece. Stay on this page for all info on the draw as it happens.
AFCON 2023 draw begins
The Afcon 2023 draw is officially underway in Ivory Coast. Stay up to date with all the live action on this page as they happen.
Tribute paid to fallen heroes
Akon asks the audience to give a minute silence to African legends who have passed on in recent time. Some of the most recent names include Christian Atsu and Cheick Tiote.
AFCON 2023 Draw Group stage: Live proceedings
Group A: Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria
Group B: Mozambique, Cape Verde, Ghana, Egypt
Group C: Gambia, Guinea, Cameroon, Senegal
Group D: Angola, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Algeria
Group E: Namibia, South Africa, Mali, Tunisia
Group F: Tanzania, Zambia, DR Congo, Morocco
Super Eagles drawn against hosts Ivory Coast in Group A
Nigeria have been handed a tricky tie in Group A, where they will take on Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea as they seek to advance to the knockout stages once again.
On paper, Nigeria and Ivory Coast look like the two sides likely to progress but the duo of Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea both have what it takes to cause an upset in any case.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 weeks ago
