The Organizing Committee (COCAN), in collaboration with the Government of Ivory Coast and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), unveiled the official Mascot for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Abidjan on Friday night.
During a launch event in Abidjan, the official Mascot named “AKWABA” was introduced to the people of Ivory Coast, marking the start of the 190-day countdown to the tournament kick-off. The opening match is scheduled to take place on January 13, 2023.
AKWABA is derived from a local Ivorian language and means “welcome.” It represents the core values of hospitality, friendship, generosity, and team spirit, making it a powerful symbol of competition.
AKWABA embodies the essence of Ivorian hospitality, connecting with fans, players, and nations, and celebrating the spirit of teamwork by promoting cooperation, mutual respect, and fair play, according to a CAF statement.
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As the official image of the tournament in Ivory Coast, AKWABA represents the Ivorian identity and draws inspiration from the country’s iconic elephant. It now becomes the face of the competition.
The selection process for AKWABA began over a year ago, with an open and inclusive competition allowing talented individuals to showcase their creativity in designing the mascot for early next year’s tournament.
So far, 15 teams have been confirmed, including the host, with Ghana and others, hoping to secure qualification in September when the final round of qualifiers is played.