The African Cup 2023 will start the group stage on January 13th with its matchday 1 in different cities of Côte d’Ivoire. 24 of Africa’s top national teams take part in this biennial tournament, competing for continental glory. It was originally scheduled to take place in June 2023, but the date was changed to this due to adverse weather conditions at that time of year. The knockout stages will start on January 27th, and the group stage will end on January 24th.
The format consists of a group stage, a round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and final. The 24 teams are divided into 6 groups of 4 teams each. The first 2 qualifiers of each group and the best 4 third-placed teams will advance to the knockout stages.
This tournament brings together some of Africa’s most talented players and the most successful national teams. Senegal will be defending the title after winning it in Cameroon in 2021. Other major contenders are Morocco, Nigeria, Egypt, and Ghana.
With world-class players such as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, and Riyad Mahrez at the helm of their national teams, fans can expect high-quality football and intense competition. The opening day will feature outstanding matches, as the group stage will start in full force.
African Cup 2023 Matchday 1 – Côte d’Ivoire vs. Guinea-Bissau – Info
When and Where?
Saturday, January 13th, 3:00 pm ET at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium
Moneyline odds:
Côte d’Ivoire 1.22
Guinea-Bissau 16.00
Draw Offs:
5.75
Where to Watch?
beIN Sports, fuboTV, and Fanatiz
Côte d’Ivoire was a force to be reckoned with in African teams recently and was even a part of the Brazil 2014 World Cup. However, they have missed the next two World Cups in Russia and Qatar, so they will be eager to leave their country’s name on high in this home tournament.
This team has players of the stature of Seko Fofana, who played for Manchester City, Udinese, Fulham, and other important teams. Sébastien Haller, current striker for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga and Franck Kessié, former FC Barcelona player. With these athletes as spearheads, Côte d’Ivoire will try to win Group A and be one of the best in this African Cup 2023.
On the other hand, Guinea-Bissau comes to this tournament as one of the underdogs, as nobody is betting anything on them. However, this condition may help the rest of the teams to relax and surprise. It will be difficult to overcome the local team and Nigeria, but hope is the last thing to be lost.
This team has been playing well in recent months, as they have managed to take 4 out of 6 points in the qualifiers for the next World Cup after beating Djibouti 1-0 and drawing 1-1 against Burkina Faso.
For this match, our prediction is a 3-0 victory for Côte d’Ivoire.
Côte d’Ivoire vs. Guinea-Bissau Betting Pick: Côte d’Ivoire
African Cup 2023 Matchday 1 – Nigeria vs. Equatorial Guinea – Info
When and Where?
Sunday, January 14th, 9:00 am ET at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium
Moneyline odds:
Nigeria 1.43
Equatorial Guinea 8.30
Draw Offs:
4.20
Where to Watch?
beIN Sports, fuboTV, and Fanatiz
Nigeria has always been one of the strongest teams in Africa, and there is no doubt that they are the favorites to take first place in Group A of this African Cup 2023. However, the team did not have the expected success on their way to Qatar 2022 and were left empty-handed for the first time in many years.
Now, Nigeria is counting on Victor Osimhen and Samu Chukwueze to lead them to victory in this tournament. It is also worth mentioning that they did not get off on the right foot in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, as they drew 1-1 with Lesotho and Zimbabwe in the first two rounds.
On the other hand, Equatorial Guinea is one of the teams that has been pleasantly surprising in recent months, as they have accumulated 2/2 victories in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
In their first match, they beat Namibia 1-0, while in the second matchday, they beat Liberia with the same score. Now, this team needs to play a correct and very organized game if they want to go over Nigeria in this official tournament.
For this match, our prediction is a 2-0 victory for Nigeria.
Nigeria vs. Equatorial Guinea Betting Pick: Nigeria
African Cup 2023 Matchday 1 – Senegal vs. Gambia – Info
When and Where?
Monday, January 15th, 9:00 am ET at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium
Moneyline odds:
Senegal 1.37
Gambia 9.60
Draw Offs:
4.45
Where to Watch?
beIN Sports, fuboTV, and Fanatiz
Senegal is undoubtedly one of the candidates to win the championship trophy in this African Cup 2023. The Senegalese squad not only won the previous edition of this tournament but also had an excellent performance at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
At the World Cup, Senegal managed to take second place in Group A ahead of Ecuador and Qatar, winning two of the three matches they played. However, in the Round of 16, they were annihilated by England 0-3 to end their history in the highest soccer event in the world.
Now, this team led by Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Édouard Mendy, will try to win first place in their group and comfortably advance to the next stage.
On the other hand, Gambia will try to be one of the stones in Senegal’s shoes in this Group Stage. However, in recent months, the Gambian national team has failed to win either of its two matches in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
In their first match, they lost 2-3 away to Burundi, while in their most recent match, they were unable to overcome Côte d’Ivoire and ended up losing 0-2.
There is no doubt that our winner’s chip in this match goes to Senegal. We believe a 2-0 will be the final score.
Senegal vs. Gambia Betting Pick: Senegal
African Cup 2023 Matchday 1 – Morocco vs. Tanzania – Info
When and Where?
Wednesday, January 17th, noon ET at the Stade Laurent Pokou
Moneyline odds:
Morocco 1.29
Tanzania 11.00
Draw Offs:
5.20
Where to Watch?
beIN Sports, fuboTV, and Fanatiz
Morocco enters this tournament as the best African team at present, not only because its players are at the top of their game, but also because their performance at the Qatar 2022 World Cup was admirable and spectacular.
Against all odds, the Moroccans reached the semifinals of the World Cup, leaving the likes of Belgium, Canada, Spain and Portugal in their wake. However, when it came down to it in the semifinals, they were completely outclassed by France with a score of 0-2.
However, this team is very well formed, and they are expected to be protagonists in this African Cup 2024.
On the other hand, Tanzania wants to be the team that takes second place in this Group F. The reality is that the most difficult match they have will be against Morocco, as the rest will be against Congo and Zambia, two rivals that are at their level and that they can beat.
Tanzania already knows what it’s like to face this Morocco team, as they faced them on Day 2 of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers on November 21, 2023. In this game, the Moroccans did their part to take a comfortable 2-0 victory. In addition, their most recent match was a loss to Egypt, also with a score of 0-2.
For this match, we expect Morocco to take a comfortable 3-0 win.
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