Here are the Six Stadiums in Cote d’Ivoire ready to host the next edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in January 2024 to February 2024.
1- Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan (60,000 seats).
Alassane Ouattara Stadium, commonly known as the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé and formerly as the National Stadium of the Ivory Coast, is a multi-purpose stadium in Ebimpé and Anyama, in northern Abidjan.
It opened in 2020.[2] The stadium hosts major football matches including home matches of the Ivory Coast national football team. Alassane Ouattara Stadium is owned by the Government of Ivory Coast. With 60,000 seats, it is the largest stadium in Ivory Coast and one of the most modern stadiums in Africa.
Designed by the Beijing Institute Architectural Design The new national stadium of Ivory Coast was strategically situated away from Abidjan, positioned between the communes of Ebimpé and Anyama. In a direct distance, it stands approximately 20 km north of central Abidjan.
The decision to relocate the country’s sporting hub beyond the city limits was a deliberate one. Ultimately, it is envisioned to be an integral part of a sprawling 287-hectare sports city, set to become one of the largest sports and leisure districts in Africa to host multiple sports like football, rugby and athletics. As for the stadium itself, the initial construction phase covered only its immediate surroundings, encompassing four plazas and providing 1,400 parking spaces. The stadium is situated on a rectangular plot spanning 20 hectares.
Due to variations in land elevation, the project necessitated extensive excavation, involving the removal of approximately 500,000 tons of soil. This early stage presented considerable challenges, exacerbated by heavy rainfall that led to instances of mud flooding.
2- Stade de Paix in Bouaké (40,000 seats)
Stade de la Paix is a multi-use stadium in Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire. It is currently used mostly for football matches. The stadium holds 35,000 people. Along with Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, it was constructed for the 1984 African Nations Cup. It is expected to host matches of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, and is currently being renovated for the competition by Mota-Engil, with structures designed by Quadrante Group.
The stadium was constructed in 1984 as part of Ivory Coast’s plan to host the 1984 African Cup of Nations, with Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in the capital at that time, Abidjan, stade de la paix hosted a total of 7 games, including 6 in the group stage and 1 in the knockout stage (the 3rd place match) of that competition.
The competition ended with the victory of Cameroun over Nigeria, with a score of 3-1. The Ivory Coast team did not advance beyond the group stage, with only 1 win and two losses.”
During the Ivorian crisis (from October 2002 to March 2007), all sporting activities were canceled, and the stadium was abandoned due to occupation by the Forces nouvelles de Côte d’Ivoire (New Forces).
According to testimonies from residents of Bouaké, the stadium was allegedly used as an execution site for police officers, and military soldiers from the government’s forces by the New Forces.
The Stadium, with dimensions of 119 × 73 meters (football-rugby), was designed in the shape of an oval crown with a total of 24 stands. It serves as the home ground for three major clubs: ASC Bouaké, Alliance Bouaké, and Bouaké Football Club, the latter of which joined the league in 2014.
on July 30 2007, a match was held between Ivory Coast and Madagascar, during the Flame of Peace, holds great significance for national reconciliation. It was part of the Ouagadougou Agreement. This match garnered significant interest, with Ivory Coast winning 5-0.
3. Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan (50,000 seats)
The Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, nicknamed Le Félicia, is a multi-purpose stadium, which can host football, rugby union and athletics, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
It is the former national stadium of the Ivory Coast national football team. It is named after the first president of the country, Félix Houphouët-Boigny, and is located in the commune of Le Plateau. The stadium has a capacity of 50,000. It also hosts matches of ASEC Abidjan. It has been the site of several deadly stampedes.
Built in 1964 to organize the “Games of Abidjan”, the stadium was formerly known as Stade Andre Geo, and it took the name of the President Felix Houphouet-Boigny after undergoing restoration.
Gradually it emerged as the National Stadium, hosting the ASEC Mimosas and Ivorian Soccer Team.
Along the Stadium of Peace of Bouake, Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny hosted Africa Cup of Nations soccer. In 2009 after a complete renovation, which included lawn seating and the treatment room, the stadium hosted the 2009 African Championship of Nations.
The stadium was renovated for the 2017 Jeux de la Francophonie.
The stadium played host to Amnesty International’s Human Rights Now! Benefit Concert on October 9, 1988. The show was headlined by Sting and Peter Gabriel and also featured Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Tracy Chapman and Youssou N’Dour.
The American singer Chris Brown finished his Carpe Diem Tour at this stadium on December 30, 2012.
4.Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro (20,000 seats)
5. Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro (20,000 seats)
Laurent Pokou Stadium is a football stadium in San Pédro, Ivory Coast. The stadium has a capacity of 20,000 seats. The Construction of the stadium began in September 2018.
The stadium will host matches for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, an international men’s football competition across Africa.
On September 9th 2023, the Stadium witnessed its inaugural official match as Ivory Coast national football team secured a 1-0 victory over Lesotho in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier. This stadium, which pays homage to the legendary Ivorian striker, Laurent Pokou, boasts a seating capacity of 20,000.
It was Nottingham Forest midfielder Ibrahim Sangaré who had the honor of scoring the first-ever goal at this state-of-the-art facility on that memorable Saturday. Idriss Yacine Diallo, the COCAN Vice-President and FIF President, expressed his thoughts, saying,
“The Ivorian authorities have devoted significant efforts to guarantee optimal conditions for the teams participating in the final phase of the competition in Ivory Coast. We’ve made multiple visits to San Pedro with CAF delegations to oversee the progress of the construction. It brings us immense pride to return to this splendid stadium, which hosted Lesotho so successfully last Saturday.”
6.Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo (20,000 seats)
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