July 09, (THEWILL) – The Organising Committee of the TotalEnergies 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, COCAN, in collaboration with the Government of Côte d’Ivoire and CAF, officially introduced the mascot for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023 on Saturday.
The unveiling of the mascot, named “AKWABA,” took place during a captivating event in Abidjan, marking the commencement of the 190-day countdown to the tournament’s kick-off. AKWABA, derived from a local Ivorian language, represents the essence of the competition with its core values of hospitality, friendship, generosity, and team spirit. As the face of the tournament, the mascot embodies Ivorian identity and pays homage to the country’s iconic elephant.
The creation of “AKWABA” followed an open and inclusive competition, where talented individuals had the opportunity to showcase their creativity and design the mascot for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023. Among the participants, the top three winners were announced: KOUADIO N’Guessan Raoul Frédéric secured the first place, COULIBALY Kixa Pemanh Mamadou achieved the second place, and BROU Blah claimed the third place.
These individuals contributed their innovative ideas to shape the official mascot, ensuring it reflects the spirit of the tournament and resonates with the Ivorian people. “AKWABA” serves as a symbol of Ivorian hospitality, fostering connections between fans, players, and nations. It embodies the values of cooperation, mutual respect, and fair play, celebrating the essence of teamwork.
With the countdown underway, anticipation is building for the AFCON Côte d’Ivoire 2023, set to kick off on January 13, 2024. As the event draws near, AKWABA will continue to engage and inspire football enthusiasts around the world, embodying the spirit of the competition and the warm welcome of Côte d’Ivoire.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
