With South Africa one of the seven teams that have already qualified for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, the Confederation of African football (CAF) has made a big announcement regarding the continental showpiece.
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Alongside Bafana Bafana, reigning champions Senegal, Morocco, Algeria, Burkina Faso and Tunisia have all confirmed their spots to join host nation Ivory Coast at Africa's biggest tournament next year.
African football's governing body has now confirmed when the tournament will begin and end as it prepares to return to the west African nation for the first time in 40 years.
"The TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cote d'Ivoire 2023 dates have been officially confirmed by CAF, with the opening match scheduled to take place on Saturday, 13 January 2024 at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan," a statement released by CAF read.
"The four-week tournament, pitting Africa's best 24 nations [against each other], will officially conclude on 11 February 2024.
"This will be the 34th edition of the tournament and returns to Cote d'Ivoire for the second time after first being held there in 1984, where Cameroon emerged as winners for the first time.
"With the TotalEnergies AFCON 2023 Qualifiers approaching its business end, the road to Cote D'Ivoire is gradually taking shape as the world gears up for Africa's biggest football spectacle.
"Following this past weekend's thrilling round of qualifiers, six countries secured their place for the competition joining hosts, Cote d'Ivoire. They are Algeria, Morocco, South Africa, Tunisia, Burkina Faso and African champions, Senegal.
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"CAF General Secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba also confirmed that the Final Draw of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations 2023 Cote d'Ivoire will be held in September 2023. Date and venue will be confirmed in due course."
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