Football Ground Map
Football Ground Map
2024 is going to be jam-packed with international tournaments. In the summer, Europe provides UEFA Euro 2024 while South America's finest bring us the Copa America. but the first competition of the year is brought to us by Africa.
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations - yes, 2023, despite the tournament being held in January 2024 - gets underway on January 13th when the hosts Ivory Coast face off against Guinea-Bissau.
The hosts are expected to impress despite not winning the tournament since Seydou Doumbia and Wilfried Bony were leading the line back in 2015. Another nation that could be a dark horse is shock 2012 champions Zambia.
Just over a decade ago, the Zambians stunned this year's hosts as they made it all the way to the final and then defeated them on penalties. This year, they have a lethal strike force with Leicester City hitman Patson Daka one of the continent's leading marksmen.
If that's enough to convince you to place a Zambia bet, then you'll have to remain patient as unfortunately, the odds aren't yet available with most major betting sites.
Domestically, however, Daka's Leicester City are currently the odds on 53/100 favourites to win the EFL Championship this term and the Foxes have raced into a four-point lead at the division's summit.
When it comes to AFCON though, there will be several impressive stadiums hosting the matches this winter, and here are the three biggest of them.
The stunning Alassane Ouattara Stadium is set to host seven group stage matches and the February 11th finale. The stadium is named after the current president of Cote d'Ivoire, who approved its construction in 2017.
What's more, the Alassane Ouattara Stadium is located just a stone's throw away from the beautiful Ebrie Lagoon, making it the perfect spot for a post-match stroll.
Located in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, the amphitheatre has a capacity of 60,000 people and has a unique design that features a 360-degree video screen.
The Stade de la Paix - Stadium of Peace in English - in Bouake was recently renovated and expanded to accommodate 40,000 fans, especially for this tournament. The stadium will also host seven group-stage matches as well as several knockout fixtures, and the home faithful will be able to see the likes of Algeria's Riyad Mahrez as well as Cameroon, who managed to defeat Brazil at the recent FIFA World Cup.
The stadium is located in the heart of Bouake, which is known for its vibrant markets and colourful culture, providing plenty for supporters to do when matches aren't taking place.
Last but not least is the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, which is the oldest stadium on our list, having been built in 1966.
Despite its age, the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium has undergone major renovations in recent years, and now features a dazzling display of LED lights as well as a seating capacity of 35,000.
This stadium will host several important matches during the tournament, including the quarter-finals and the semi-finals. It features a synthetic turf pitch and state-of-the-art facilities, making it a top-notch venue for football enthusiasts.
All good things have to come to an end, and the same unfortunately has to be said for football stadiums too. This article looks at the grounds which are soon to host their last match, the stadiums whose days are numbered and where fans will be watching their football from next.
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