Top AFCON Clashes Set: Nigeria vs Ivory Coast, Ghana vs Egypt, Three Other Big Games in Group Stages

The draw for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has been successfully concluded with all 24 teams, including the host nation, finding out their opponents at the group stage.

The event last night (October 12), which was graced by legends of the game, provided fans of African football with some mouthwatering fixtures in the opening round alone.

The AFCON tournament has been slated for January and February next year in Ivory Coast.

Reigning champions, Senegal will be hoping to defend their title in Abidjan but will face stiff competition from many of the teams that qualified for the tournament.

The draw last night saw the 24 African nations divided into six groups of four countries each, as cited by CAF on social media.

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Sports Brief looks at the top five group stage games after the AFCON 2023 draw:

Ivory Coast versus Nigeria

Group A will provide fans with the first big game of the competition when hosts, Ivory Coast face Nigeria. The two nations have five AFCON titles between them, with the Elephants winning twice and the Super Eagles claiming their third title in 2013.

Ivory Coast and Nigeria boast some of the finest talents on the continent. Victor Osimhen is regarded as one of the best strikers in the world while Sebastien Haller and Wilfried Zaha will be featuring for the Ivorians.

Ghana versus Egypt

The two countries have 11 AFCON titles between them and are among the pioneers of football on the continent.

The match also has a historical undertone with the Black Stars eyeing revenge against the Pharaohs, a team that prevented them from winning a fifth title at the competition.

Egypt will arrive at the tournament with arguably the best player on the continent, Mohamed Salah while Ghana has an emerging star who could set the pace in Mohammed Kudus.

Senegal versus Cameroon

Senegal appear to have a deep love of Cameroon, the country where they won their first-ever AFCON title. However, the Indomitable Lions are the second-most successful footballing nation on the continent, having won the tournament five times.

Cameroon's veteran forward, Vincent Aboubakar could be making his final appearance at the tournament and would want to help his team make a mark against the Lions of Teranga and their superstar, Sadio Mane.

Algeria versus Burkina Faso

After a disappointing 2021 AFCON tournament, Algeria will be returning all guns blazing but will have to deal with a stubborn Burkina Faso side, who have been consistent in recent tournaments.

Riyad Mahrez will be eyeing a return to the podium with a final dance in Ivory Coast. However, Burkina Faso have some of the best young talents in Africa with the likes of Ibrahim Sangnare expected to flourish at AFCON 2023.

Tunisia versus Mali

This is one of the games that will decide Group F, which also houses South Africa and Namibia. Tunisia won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2004 and have been consistent since, progressing out of their group several times.

However, they will have to deal with perennial dark horse - Mali and this game could be the sleeper of AFCON 2023.

Ghana draw seven-time champions Egypt

Sports Brief also reported on four-time champions, Ghana being drawn in Group B of AFCON 2023 in Ivory Coast.

The Black Stars will face seven-time champions Egypt, along with West African rivals Cape Verde and Mozambique.

Ghana are chasing a fifth AFCON title after last winning the tournament in 1982 and will bank on their young stars.