Gabon hosts the rest of the continent’s football populace for the African Cup of Nations starting Saturday January 14. After a successful draw in October 2016, time is getting close for the show proper. The competition kicks off on January 14 and ends on February 5, 2017.
AFCON 2017 Preview: A look at the 4 match venues
Africanews takes a look at the four host venues (Libreville, Franceville, Oyem and Port Gentil) as Gabon seeks AFCON glory at home and as Ivory Coast attempts to successfully defend their trophy despite being without the Toure brothers – who retired after 2015 and injured skipper, Yao Gervinho.
The four Stadiums to be used for the tournament are as follows:
VENUE 1: Stade de l’Amitié in Libreville, Gabon
It hosted the 2012 AFCON final
Has a capacity of 38,000
Built by Shanghai Construction Group
Libreville will host Group A
GROUP A – Libreville
Gabon
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Guinea Bissau
VENUE 2: Stade de Franceville, Franceville
Located in the city of Franceville
Has a capacity of 20,000 seats
It was opened in January, 2012 for AFCON 2012
First game was a friendly between Gabon and Sudan
Franceville will host Group B
GROUP B – Port Gentil
Algeria
Tunisia
Senegal
Zimbabwe
VENUE 3: Stade d’Oyem, Oyem
Located in Assok Ngomo, Gabon (15 km from Oyem)
The stadium has a capacity of 20,000 seats
It has a 28-room hotel, athletics track,3 tennis courts and 3 basketball courts
Oyem will host teams in Group C
GROUP C – Oyem
Ivory Coast
DR Congo
Morocco
Togo
VENUE 4: Stade de Port-Gentil, Port-Gentil
Located in the commercial capital, Port Gentil
Has a capacity of 20,000 seats
Has a 26-room hotel, athletics track, 2 basketball courts
Port Gentil will host teams in Group D
GROUP D: Port Gentil
Ghana
Mali
Egypt
Uganda
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