The 2023 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations kicks off this afternoon between hosts, Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau.
A number of exciting fixtures are set to keep fans of the African game glued to the action over the next few weeks.
Here are the top 10 fixtures of the group stages:
Senegal – Gambia: 15 January, 14h00 GMT
On paper, the fixture seems unbalanced, but this is without knowing the rivalry between two border countries which are similar in several points. A David against Goliath that will be worth the detour.
Cote d’Ivoire – Nigeria: 18 January 17h00 GMT
A match of former African champions with five titles between them. Hosts Cote d’Ivoire have lifted the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON title twice while the Super Eagles have one so three times, setting up what promises to be an action-packed encounter.
Egypt – Ghana: 18 January, 20h00 GMT
The meetings between these two nations has always been electric. A total of 11 TotalEnergies AFCON titles between them, with both sides looking at adding to their collection.
Senegal – Cameroon: 19 January, 17h00 GMT
The battle of the African Lions is definitely one of the marquee fixtures. The Lions of Teranga against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon will certainly be one to look out for.
Algeria – Burkina: 20 January, 14h00 GMT
The last confrontations between these two teams has been full of suspense. They meet again on the 20thhoping to get a confidence-boosting win at the start.
Tunisia – Mali: 20 January, 20h00 GMT
Two teams that never quit. From the World Cup qualifiers to the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON, there is always a confrontation between Aigles de Carthage and Aigles that keeps you in suspense.
Morocco – DR Congo: 21 January, 14h00 GMT
The Atlas Lions face a tricky opponent in DR Congo. While Morocco may be deemed as favourites, both sides have what it takes to clinch what should be an evenly balanced tie.
South Africa – Namibia: 21 January, 20h00 GMT
A southern derby that is fast growing into a fierce one. Bafana Bafana, winners of the 1996 edition welcome a highly motivated side led by the youngest coach of the tournament in Collin Benjamin (45)
Guinea – Senegal: 23 January, 17h00 GMT
An exciting duel of a West African derby is guaranteed to entertain. Guinea will be hoping to cause an upset against the reigning champions while the Lions of Teranga look to defend their title.
Tanzania – DR Congo, 24 January 20h00 GMT
With football in full expansion, the Tanzanian championship is full of several Congolese players who make it rain or shine. A derby also for supremacy.
Tanzanian football has been on the rise over the last few years, with a number of Congolese players plying their trade in the East African nation. The two nations clash on 24 January in what should be an interesting tie.