Abidjan, the capital city of Cote d’Ivoire’s is buzzing with excitement as fans flock in from across Africa ahead of the continent’s biggest football party, CAF AFCON 2023, kicking off on Saturday night.
Hosts Cote D’Ivoire kicks off the CAF tournament 9pm, Nigerian time against Guinea Bissau.
Cote d’Ivoire’s capital has been transformed into a sea of colour and noise as the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations hype shifts into overdrive.
In their national colours, fans have poured into the city, with streets and bars filled with jerseys, flags and vuvuzelas.
Buses full of supporters have arrived from neighbouring countries like Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Senegal Mauritania, and Nigeria in recent days.
Meanwhile the airport has been a beehive of activities as fans and media fly in from across Africa and the world.
Vendors are capitalising on the football frenzy by selling team jerseys, caps, scarves and paraphernalia on street corners.
Roads are jammed with honking cars and motorbikes festooned with flags as national pride sweeps through Abidjan.
Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Ghana Morocco and Mali colours are proving particularly popular given the heavy expectations on the hosts and reigning champions.
Shirts from Nigeria, Cameroon and North African nations like Egypt are also selling fast.
A carnival atmosphere will engulf the stadium when the Elephants take on Guinea-Bissau at the Stade Olympique d’Ebimpé on Saturday night, .
Ivorians are confident their array of Europe-based stars like Sebastian Haller, Simon Adingra and Franck Kessie can deliver glory on home soil.
An electric opening ceremony of the CAF showpiece will further crank up the voltage inside the packed 60,000-seater arena in Abidjan.
The AFCON passion is not limited to the Ivorian capital. Millions across Africa eagerly counting down to kick-off.
From fan parks in Nigeria and Senegal to crowded bars in Morocco, an entire continent is holding its breath in anticipation.
The next month will be a sensational ride for Africans as 24 finalists battle for continental supremacy.
This weekend, all eyes are on Abidjan as Cote d’Ivoire prepares to host the world’s most thrilling African sporting spectacle.
