The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2024 is one of the most exciting football tournaments of the year, bringing together the best African talent in a battle for continental supremacy. Hosted by Ivory Coast, this edition promises thrilling matches, unexpected upsets, and unforgettable moments.
In this complete guide, we’ll cover:
✅ AFCON 2024 full schedule & fixtures
✅ Top players to watch (Salah, Osimhen, Hakimi & more)
✅ How to watch AFCON 2024 live (free & paid options)
✅ Tournament favorites & dark horse teams
✅ Key storylines & predictions
Let’s dive in!
AFCON 2024 Full Fixtures & Schedule
The tournament runs from January 13 to February 11, 2024, with matches held across five host cities in Ivory Coast:
-
Abidjan (Alassane Ouattara Stadium)
-
Yamoussoukro, Bouaké, San-Pédro, Korhogo
Group Stage Fixtures (Key Matches)
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 13 | Ivory Coast vs Guinea-Bissau | Alassane Ouattara Stadium |
| Jan 14 | Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea | Alassane Ouattara Stadium |
| Jan 14 | Egypt vs Mozambique | Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny |
| Jan 15 | Senegal vs The Gambia | Charles Konan Banny Stadium |
| Jan 16 | Morocco vs Tanzania | Stade de San-Pédro |
(Full schedule available on CAF’s official website)
Knockout Stage Dates
-
Round of 16 – Jan 27-30
-
Quarterfinals – Feb 2-3
-
Semifinals – Feb 7
-
Final – Feb 11
⭐ Top Players to Watch at AFCON 2024
1. Mohamed Salah (Egypt )
-
Club: Liverpool
-
Key Stat: Egypt’s all-time top scorer in AFCON (11 goals).
-
Why Watch? Salah aims to lead Egypt to their 8th AFCON title after near misses in 2017 & 2021.
2. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria )
-
Club: Napoli
-
Key Stat: 2023 Serie A top scorer (26 goals).
-
Why Watch? Osimhen is Nigeria’s biggest hope for a 4th AFCON trophy.
3. Achraf Hakimi (Morocco )
-
Club: PSG
-
Key Stat: Best right-back in Africa (2023 AFCON Team of the Tournament).
-
Why Watch? Can Morocco replicate their 2022 World Cup magic?
4. Sadio Mané (Senegal )
-
Club: Al-Nassr
-
Key Stat: AFCON 2021 Player of the Tournament.
-
Why Watch? Senegal are defending champions—can Mané inspire back-to-back wins?
(For more player insights, check ESPN’s AFCON preview)
How to Watch AFCON 2024 Live (Free & Paid Options)
**1. Official Broadcasters
-
UK: Sky Sports, BBC (select matches)
-
USA: beIN Sports
-
France: Canal+
-
Nigeria: SuperSport, NTA
2. Free Streaming Options (Legal)
-
CAF YouTube (highlights & select games)
-
Facebook Watch (some regional broadcasts)
3. VPN Trick for Free Access
If AFCON is geo-blocked in your country, use a VPN to connect to a region with free coverage (e.g., South Africa via SABC).
(For more streaming tips, visit Soccer NewsZ)
AFCON 2024 Predictions: Favorites & Dark Horses
Top Contenders
-
Senegal – Defending champs with Mané & Koulibaly.
-
Morocco – World Cup semifinalists, strong squad.
-
Egypt – Salah’s last chance for AFCON glory?
Dark Horses
-
Ivory Coast (Hosts) – Home advantage could be key.
-
Nigeria – If Osimhen fires, they can go all the way.
Shock Early Exits?
-
Ghana – Struggled in recent tournaments.
-
Tunisia – Lack a consistent scorer.
Final Thoughts: Who Will Win AFCON 2024?
This year’s AFCON is wide open, but our prediction:
Winner: Senegal (back-to-back titles)
Golden Boot: Victor Osimhen
More AFCON 2024 Coverage
For daily updates, visit Soccer NewsZ – your go-to source for football news!
No comment