AFCON 2023: EVERYTHING YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE SIX HOST STADIUMS

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By Sefiu Ajape

The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, which is being hosted by Cote d’Ivoire, is the largest football tournament in Africa, and it starts on Friday in less than five days.

Six stadiums will host the AFCON 2023, according to reports.

According to CAFOnline, AFCON 2023 will take place in six stadiums, namely the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe, the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, the Peace Stadium, the Stadium of Korhogo, the Laurent Pokou Stadium, and the Charles Konan Banny Stadium, all located in the host nation.

Everything you should know regarding the six stadiums is as follows:

Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe

The stadium, which can hold 60,000 people, was constructed in Abidjan between 2016 and 2020.

The tournament’s opening and closing ceremonies will take place at the Olympic Stadium of Epimbe, which is situated in the nation’s economic center, the city of Abidjan.

One of the main infrastructure legacies of the competition for the host country is the 60,000-seat stadium, which will create several job possibilities once the final whistle is sounded.

The multipurpose venue’s development got underway in 2016, marking the start of the world-class venue’s construction.

On October 3, 2020, it was formally opened in front of prominent government ministers and officials, followed by a pre-match exhibition between Asec Mimosas and Africa Sports Abidjan, two of the biggest clubs in the country.

The Olympic Stadium is a multipurpose stadium with a large hosting capacity and several top-notch amenities, including an athletic track, conference rooms, gyms, an auditorium, and VIP areas.

Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium

Constructed in 1952, the 29,000-seat stadium is located in Abidjan. The renovations took place in 2021 and 2023.

Dedicated to President Felix Houphouet-Boigny, the first Head of State of the nation and the creator of Cote d’Ivoire, one of the nation’s historic sites will serve as home to Africa’s largest event for the second time, having served as one of the two host venues in 1984.

The stadium is undergoing extensive improvements to its structural layout, seats, pitch, locker facilities, and hospitality suites in order to comply with the necessary CAF requirements.

Before the competition, the venue’s seating capacity had been increased to 33,000, along with other infrastructure enhancements.

In addition to football, the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium boasts an athletic track and has also hosted some major sporting codes and events in Abidjan.

Peace Stadium

Built in 1983, the 40,000-seat stadium is located in Bouake. The renovations took place in 2019 and 2023.

The Peace Stadium, one of the most famous football stadiums in Cote d’Ivoire, will hold its second TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations after serving as one of the host sites in 1984. Peace Stadium is situated in Bouake, the country’s second-largest city.

The thrilling 5-4 penalty shootout victory by Cameroon against Algeria in the 1984 TotalEnergies AFCON semifinal, which saw the Indomitable Lions go on to win the championship, is among the most unforgettable moments at the site.

Since then, the stadium has undergone significant renovations, going from its initial 15 000 seats to its current 40 000 seats, among other changes made in advance of the competition.

A fully functional media center, an auditorium, meeting spaces, and an improved spectator parking structure to hold the thousands of people anticipated are among the other enhancements.

Stadium of Korhogo

The 20,000-seat stadium was constructed in Korhogo between 2019 and 2023.

One of the legacies of hosting an international event of the magnitude of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 is the Stadium of Korhogo, which is situated in the northern section of the city.

The recently constructed stadium will enhance the visual appeal of the city by occupying an expansive 20.17 hectares of land.

A top-notch natural grass field, an athletics track, a media center, a broadcast compound, and other stadium amenities necessary for hosting major international events like the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations will be included in the 20,000-capacity hosting capacity.

Laurent Pokou Stadium

The San Pedro stadium, which can hold 20,000 people, was constructed between 2019 and 2023.

San Pedro Stadium, a stunning architectural structure in Poro’s vibrant cultural district, will be remembered for its contribution to the city’s infrastructure when it hosts the 2023 TotalEnergies AFCON Cote d’Ivoire.

With work set to begin in 2018, the 20,000-seat venue is sure to become a treasure for the Poro area.

The 23.33-hectare stadium will have world-class amenities, such as a cutting-edge natural grass pitch, conference rooms, a media center, and other spaces that will stimulate the economy long after the final whistle blows. Its attractive design will be supplemented by these features.

Charles Konan Banny Stadium

The stadium, which can hold 20,000 people, was constructed in Yamoussoukro between 2019 and 2021.

The recently constructed Yamoussoukro Stadium is part of the city’s impressive architecture and will contribute to the city’s economic hub of activity following the tournament. Yamoussoukro, the nation’s capital, is a bustling commercial hub.

Following two years of development, the stadium opened for football on June 3rd. The game was a qualifier for the TotalEnergies AFCON Cote d’Ivoire 2023 finals, with the hosts defeating Zambia 3-1.

With 20,000 seats, an athletic track, media centers, hospitality suites, and conference centers, Yamoussoukro Stadium offers it all.

Total Energies is the official title sponsor of the AFCON 2023, according to reports.