Kalilou Traore, the Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire to Nigeria, has reaffirmed his country's preparedness to host the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja, Traore stated that all necessary measures have been put in place to ensure a smooth tournament.
The tournament, as reported by NAN, is slated to take place from January 13 to February 11. Traore expressed that the entire population of Côte d’Ivoire is mobilised to make this one of the biggest events for Africa.
“This is starting from the Head of State, President Alassane Ouattara, and the Prime Minister, who right now is the Minister of Sports and is particularly in charge of the organisation of this tournament.
“Beyond the government, the population has been mobilised. The tourism sector has been mobilised, the security, the building sector have built many stadiums that will host different matches.
“So, all the sectors in Côte d’Ivoire have been mobilised and they are almost ready.
“Now, they are fine-tuning all the little little things, so that they will be ready before the official opening on Jan. 13.”
Traore explained that the mobilisation involves budget allocation and infrastructure overhaul to ensure a successful tournament. He further stated that the Ivorian government is working closely with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to achieve the desired goals.
“Each country has to take charge of its own team, but when they bring them into Côte d’Ivoire, the facilities are there for them to use,“he said.
He assured that every facility which would facilitate the performance of the teams has been provided by the government of Côte d’Ivoire. The envoy also assured that Côte d’Ivoire and CAF were working together with the various participating countries’ football federations to ensure a hitch-free AFCON in the country.
“I recently visited the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, and he is in touch with his counterparts in Côte d’Ivoire in terms of preparation,” he said. (NAN)