After securing their place in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, hosts Egypt face Cote d’Ivoire in the Total U-23 Africa Cup of Nations final today, with a new Champion waiting to be crowned at the 3rd edition of the tournament.
Starting in 2011, Gabon and Nigeria claimed the first two titles of the tournament that serves also as the final stage of African qualifications to the Olympics.
This year a new champion will be revealed at the famous Cairo International Stadium, with The Olympic Pharaohs and Les Elephants hoping to raise the trophy, and add more joy to that they already celebrated.
For hosts Egypt, it would be a great reward to their faithful supporters who were left in tears last July, after seeing their senior side crashing out the Round of 16 of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations at home. The U-23 class captured people’s hearts with their impressive football, as they grabbed a ticket to next summer Olympics, and want now to add a new title to their cabinet.
On the other hand, Cote d’Ivoire secured their second ever Olympics appearance, as they are eyeing the title for the first time in their history. Soulaiho Haidara’s team was considered the underdogs as the tournament started, but they proved the opposite with each game.
Match Info:
Friday 22 November 2019
Final
Egypt v Cote d’Ivoire
Cairo International Stadium
(20:00 local time, 18:00 GMT).
Meanwhile South Africa will face Ghana in the 3rd/4th Place Play-off. The winner will join Egypt and Cote d’Ivoire as representatives of the African continent at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Game.
Final preps for tomorrow’s crucial #TotalAFCONU23 3rd/4th playoff match against Ghana underway at the Guard Hotel. ??
?️ Cairo Stadium.
? 16h30
? 22 November 2019.@CAF_Online pic.twitter.com/u3qdDxc5vT— SAFA.net (@SAFA_net) November 21, 2019