AFCON 2023: Algeria ‘Spied On’ by Drone Ahead of Ivory Coast vs Guinea Bissau Opener

• Algeria were, earlier this week, 'visited' by a drone during a closed training session
• The Algerian federation are yet to file a complaint with the Confederation of African Football
• Algeria are in the same pool with Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Angola

A little bit of controversy rocked the Algerian camp a few days before they begin their pursuit for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

A drone was reported flying over their training base in Bouake, the central city of the host nation, the Ivory Coast.

Head Coach Djamel Belmadi was putting his troops through their paces when the drone was spotted flying overhead, bringing the session to a temporary stop.

A video surfaced online of police questioning the man reportedly flying the drone.

DZ Foot later reported that the man was an Ivorian who had been hired by the Algerian federation who are understandably yet to file a complaint with the Confederation of African Football(CAF)

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Algeria's AFCON 2023 chances

The 2019 champions were pooled in Group D, where they will face 2013 finalists Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Angola. They will be the favourites to win the group, with Opta having them as the fourth-placed team to win the title behind defending champions Senegal, the hosts and World Cup semifinalists Morocco.

The North African giants boast of some of the best players in the continent, led by their captain Riyad Mahrez and AC Milan's Ismael Bennacer.

They open their campaign against Angola on January 15 before playing Burkina Faso four days later. They will wrap up their group stage campaign against Mauritania on January 23. All their games will be played at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake.

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The Nigerian pop queen also released the theme song of the competition, dubbed 'Akwaba' alongside Magic System and Ramadhan.

The Johny hitmaker will perform just before Ivory Coast takes on GUinea Bissau in the first game at the Alassane Outtara stadium.