SEE COLOURFUL MOMENTS from AFCON 2023 opening ceremony

The 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) commenced on Saturday with a magnificent colourful opening ceremony at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan, the capital of Côte d’Ivoire.

Ahead of the opening ceremony, there was heavy traffic in the city of Abidjan, as football lovers from the across the continent and the rest of the world file out to the opening match of the AFCON 2023 between host, Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire, and Guinea Bissau.

A correspondent covering the tournament in Abidjan on Saturday reports that security agencies did their best to put the situation under control.

Newsmen as well as supporters of the two nations had a hectic time accessung the stadium amid heavy security and traffic.

Some of the motorists and pedestrians expressed  disappointment with the traffic situation and called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to make better arrangements to deal with the situation.

Some of them said, however, they were excited that the African Cup of Nations was taking place in their country.

In spite of the situation, some Ivorians were seen dancing and drumming some kilometres away from the Alassane Ouattara stadium to entertain the people stuck in the traffic.

However, the atmosphere in the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara was different totally.

Nigerian Afro beats sensation Yemi Alade performed at the opening ceremony, leaving the stadium electric after her performance.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Alade was joined on stage by Egyptian singer, Mohamed Ramadan.

SEE COLOURFUL PHOTOS from AFCON 2023 opening ceremony below:

Some opening ceremony that! 🤩🕺🇨🇮#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/SFBmXWYSZc

— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 13, 2024

2023 AFCON: Sports administrator predicts Super Eagles, Morocco, Senegal for finals

Meanwhile, Ebere Amaraizu, former Board Member and South-East Director of Nationwide League One (NLO), has tipped Super Eagles and national teams of Morocco and Senegal for finals of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Amaraizu made the prediction while speaking in Enugu on Saturday on the favourites to win the tournament.

Amaraizu noted that it was only sheer complacency and lack of focus that would stop the Super Eagles getting into the finals of the continental fiesta.

According to him, “I can feel the passion and hunger among players of the Super Eagles to bring the AFCON trophy back to Nigeria.

“On paper, national teams like that of our Nigeria, Morocco and Senegal first as well as Cameroon, Egypt and Ghana following are among teams that could be the favourites to lift the trophy.

“These national teams could also be tipped for better outing owing to their players’ pedigree and ratings.

“However, they should also understand that other teams are there to make a valid statement,” he said.

Amaraizu, who is also the former General Manager of 2018 Enugu State Aiteo Cup victorious Crime Busters FC, Enugu, also noted that “football is not a respecter of big names of players and countries”.

“It is a game that requires purposefulness, hardwork, focus and high concentration with formidable team spirit devoid of complacency.

“There are teams without big names that will try to make indelible statement in order to be known,” he said.

The football administrator  expressed optimism over Super Eagles making it to the top of Group A table with Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau and Equatorial Guinea following in that order.