With the 2023 AFCON in Cote D’Ivoire just days away, www.aclsports.com through our Football Reporter Samuel Areo has this section “AFCON Blues” to bring you all the updates around the teams and other information about the continental showpiece.
Morocco first to arrive in Cote d’Ivoire
Morocco, apart from the host nation, became the first side to arrive in Cote d’Ivoire for the 34th edition of the AFCON when the Atlas Lions landed in Abidjan on Sunday.
The FIFA World Cup semi-finalists arrived at Felix Houphouet Boigny Airport in the afternoon and Atlas Lions striker Youssef En-Nesyri was the first to appear from the aircraft, followed by PSG star, Achraf Hakimi as the delegation was met on arrival by the Ivorian Minister of Transport Amadou Kone.
Mr Kone, who personally supervised the arrival of this first team for the tournament, was accompanied by the ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Côte d’Ivoire His Excellency Abdelmalek Kettani, some CAF officials, and some members of the LOC.
Shortly after their arrival, the Atlas Lions headed straight to the city of San Pedro where they will be based for their Group F matches against DR Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia.
Super Eagles thump Al Gharbia FC in warm-up friendly
The Super Eagles thumped Al Gharbia FC, a local team based in Dubai 12-0 in a warm-up game in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Sunday.
Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman scored four goals, while Victor Osimhen and Moses Simon grabbed a brace each in the one-sided encounter. Also, Real Sociedad forward Sadiq Umar and skipper Ahmed Musa contributed a goal each, while the remaining two goals were own goals.
It was reported that Enyimba goalkeeper Ojo Olorunleke, who came in as a substitute for Francis Uzoho, saved a penalty during the match. However, the bigger test for the Eagles will come on Monday when they face another AFCON-bound team Guinea in a final warm-up game before they leave for Lagos.
Pre-AFCON Friendlies
Egypt 2-0 Tanzania
Nigeria 12-0 Al Gharbia FC
