CAF president Ahmad Ahmad succeeded in convincing Ivory Coast’s authorities to accept the hosting of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations during a 24-hour visit to the West African country which ended on Tuesday.
Ivory Coast initially won the rights to host the tournament in 2021, which has now been given to Cameroon after it lost the 2019 edition due to delay in preparations.
The Ivorian authorities, who weren’t happy with the decision, went on to file a complaint at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), insisting on organising the 2021 event.
However, after holding meetings with Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara, the sports minister and the country’s football association, a joint statement released at the end of the visit mentioned that the complaint at CAS had been withdrawn and that Ivory Coast will now host the 2023 AFCON.
The 2025 edition now goes to Guinea, which was billed to host the continental showpiece in 2023.
