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A kaleidoscopic opening ceremony in Abidjan provided a taste of Cote d’Ivoire’s rich culture as the 2023 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations burst into life on Saturday.
Ivory Coast celebrates African football in elaborate CAN opening ceremony© Provided by Hespress
The iconic Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara throbbed with colour as dancers, acrobats and musicians delivered a high-octane celebration of Ivorian tradition.
Through carefully choreographed routines, the hosts presented their diversity to the world and pride in forging “a people and a destiny” over time.
The vibrant performances also honoured African unity, with Cote d’Ivoire welcoming the continent’s 54 nations with its legendary hospitality.
Ivory Coast celebrates African football in elaborate CAN opening ceremony© Provided by Hespress
Meanwhile, the country’s booming infrastructure was displayed via footage of its impressive network of roads, bridges and facilities.
These multiform developments are a source of national pride as Cote d’Ivoire continues rapid economic growth.
An array of A-list African music stars then took centre stage to crank up the carnival atmosphere inside the packed 60,000-capacity venue.
An electric opening ceremony kicked off the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 in thrilling style on Saturday night in Abidjan.
A capacity 60,000 crowd at the Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium soaked up the colours and culture of Cote d’Ivoire ahead of the tournament opener between the hosts and Guinea Bissau.
The celebration featured singers, acrobats and dancers in a vibrant showcase of Ivorian tradition and African unity.
Fireworks in the Ivorian national colours lit up the Abidjan sky at the end of the ceremony to launch Africa’s biggest football party in spectacular fashion.
The stunning spectacle whipped fans into a frenzy moments before kick-off as the continental showpiece got underway
Ivorian singer Jose got the party started before Congolese artist Daju had thousands jumping with his infectious hits.
The iconic sounds of Magic System had the stadium rocking as the Ivorian band teamed up with Nigeria’s Yemi Alade and Egyptian singer Ramadan.
As their TotalEnegies CAF AFCON 2023 anthem played, extravagant fireworks lit up the Abidjan sky to officially launch the tournament.
It whipped expectant fans into a frenzy moments before Cote d’Ivoire’s opening clash with Guinea-Bissau.
According to leading African football journalist Nuhu Adams, it was a ceremony worthy of kicking off a landmark AFCON.
“This was African culture and talent projected to the world in spectacular fashion,” Adams told CAFOnline.com
“From the choreography to the music, it showcased what makes Cote d’Ivoire and Africa unique. It set the perfect tone for the football to come.”
With the continent’s eyes on Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire delivered a symbolic celebration of tradition and ambition at the start of a historic AFCON.
After a month of unforgettable moments on and off the pitch, one nation will emerge triumphant on February 11th.
But this dazzling opener provided an early glimpse of what makes the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations so special.
The streets of Abidjan are buzzing with excitement as fans flock in from across Africa ahead of the continent’s biggest football party kicking off on Saturday night.
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.
Fans draped in their national colours 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 abuzz as fans and media fly in from across Africa and the world before the tournament opener with cities across the country witnessing a similar wave.
“The atmosphere here is amazing already,” said Morocco fan Hassan El Bakkali told CafOnline.com in Abidjan on Saturday morning.
An Ivorian fan Yves Bedie said: “Everyone is excited for the football to start. You can feel the AFCON fever building in the city.”
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.
But shirts from Nigeria, Cameroon and North African nations like Egypt are also selling fast.
When the Elephants take on Guinea-Bissau at the Stade Olympique d’Ebimpé on Saturday night, a carnival atmosphere will engulf the stadium.
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 will further crank up the voltage inside the packed 60,000-seater arena in Abidjan.
But the AFCON passion is not confined to the Ivorian capital, with millions across Africa eagerly counting down to kick-off.
From fan parks in Senegal to crowded bars in Morocco, an entire continent is holding its breath in anticipation.
The next month will be enthralling ride for Africans as 24 finalists battle for continental supremacy.
But this weekend, all eyes are on Abidjan as Cote d’Ivoire prepares to host the world’s most thrilling sporting spectacle.
The streets of Abidjan are buzzing with excitement as fans flock in from across Africa ahead of the continent’s biggest football party kicking off on Saturday night.
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.
Fans draped in their national colours 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 abuzz as fans and media fly in from across Africa and the world before the tournament opener with cities across the country witnessing a similar wave.
“The atmosphere here is amazing already,” said Morocco fan Hassan El Bakkali told CafOnline.com in Abidjan on Saturday morning.
An Ivorian fan Yves Bedie said: “Everyone is excited for the football to start. You can feel the AFCON fever building in the city.”
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.
But shirts from Nigeria, Cameroon and North African nations like Egypt are also selling fast.
When the Elephants take on Guinea-Bissau at the Stade Olympique d’Ebimpé on Saturday night, a carnival atmosphere will engulf the stadium.
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 will further crank up the voltage inside the packed 60,000-seater arena in Abidjan.
But the AFCON passion is not confined to the Ivorian capital, with millions across Africa eagerly counting down to kick-off.
From fan parks in Senegal to crowded bars in Morocco, an entire continent is holding its breath in anticipation.
The next month will be enthralling ride for Africans as 24 finalists battle for continental supremacy.
But this weekend, all eyes are on Abidjan as Cote d’Ivoire prepares to host the world’s most thrilling sporting spectacle.