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)

(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

1. Senegal – Defending champs with Mané & Koulibaly.

2. Morocco – World Cup semifinalists, strong squad.

3. 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!