•Despite being held in 2024, the competition is known as AFCON 2023.
•Raila who is also the ODM party leader said that as a Kenyan he hopes that Kenya's National football team Harambee Stars will be part of the next AFCON.
Image: Elias Yaa
As the continent gears up for the much-anticipated Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kickoff on Saturday night, Azimio la Umoja One Coalition Principal Raila Odinga has shared his excitement and well-wishes for the tournament.
In a statement released on his X social media handle, Raila conveyed his eagerness for the commencement of the games, extending his best wishes to all 24 participating teams
"I'm looking forward to tonight's Africa Cup of Nations kickoff! Wishing all 24 teams, an incredible tournament filled with passion and memorable moments," he said.
Raila who is also the ODM party leader said that as a Kenyan he hopes that Kenya's National football team Harambee Stars will be part of the next AFCON.
"We, as Kenyans, hope and desire Harambee Stars will feature in the next one. Who's your pick to lift the trophy?" he posed.
The highly anticipated African Cup of Nations will be played in Cote d'Ivoire.
The matches are scheduled to kick off on January 13 and conclude on February 11, 2024.
Despite being held in 2024, the competition is known as AFCON 2023.
The tournament was originally scheduled to be played during Summer but the Confederation of African Football postponed it due to weather concerns in the host nation.
It was rescheduled from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
The tournament which originally began with just three teams back in 1957 now boasts a mammoth 24 sides doing battle in its 34th edition.
Participating countries are Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, DR Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Mali.
Others are Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia and Zambia.
There will be six groups of four teams each playing each other. The knockout stage will feature the winners and runners-up in each group and the best four third-placed teams.
The final match will take place at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in the Ivory Coast's largest city, Abidjan.