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Afcon 2023: Guide to Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro

The Charles Konan Banny Stadium is one of six stadiums that will host matches at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, which takes place in January and February 2024.

Fifty-two matches will be hosted in the Côte d’Ivoire during the 34th edition of the biennial football tournament. It's Ivory Coast's first time hosting Afcon since 1984.

History of the Charles Konan Banny Stadium

Opened in June 2022, the Charles Konan Banny Stadium is located in Yamoussoukro (240km of Abidjan).

The stadium was completed in 2021 but its inauguration was delayed by some concerns over security. As a result, the Ivory Coast national team did not play here untul June 2022 when they beat Zambia 2-1 in the inaugural match.

Government picture of the Charles Konan Banny Stadium, the Stade de Yamoussoukro
Photo: Ivory Coast government

How much did it cost to build the Stade de Yamoussoukro?

Built at a cost of around £60m, the ground was designed by several designers, architects and constructors, namely Alcor, Sogea-Satom, Egis and Baudin Chateauneuf.

What's the Charles Konan Banny Stadium like?

An athletics track encircles the pitch, which has a hybrid turf. The western stand is the stadium's main stand, with changing rooms, offices, VIP areas, the press box and so on.

The eastern stand, meanwhile, is decorated in the colours of the Ivorian flag. The rest of the seats are blue.

Where is the Stade de Yamoussoukro?

Located in the country's de jure capital Yamoussoukro, the Charles Konan Banny Stadium is 240km from Abidjan. Yamoussoukro is the fifth largest city (by population) in Ivory Coast, with 212,000 residents as of the 2014 census.

It's a strange city in that it's filled with large streets, buildings and lights but doesn't have a great deal in it. While Felix Houphouet-Boigny ruled as President, he invested significant amounts into his home city, but now the streets have potholes, many of the lights don't work and plants are growing in several locations.

There are still some impressive sights, including the old Presidential Palace and public gardens, as well as the largest Christian church in the world, the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace on Rue de St.France.

Why is it called Charles Konan Banny Stadium?

The Yamoussoukro-based stadium is named after a former Prime Minister of Ivory Coast, Charles Konan Banny who lived from 1942 to 2021 and served in his position from December 2004 until April 2007. He was Prime Minister during the country's crucial transition period after a brutal civil war. Banny died in a Paris hospital in 2021 after contracting Covid-19.

Afcon 2023 fixtures at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium

Date Time (GMT) ‘Home' team Result ‘Away' team Round
15 January 2024
14:00
23px Flag of Senegal.svg Senegal
23px Flag of The Gambia.svg Gambia
Group C
15 January 2024
17:00
23px Flag of Cameroon.svg Cameroon
23px Flag of Guinea.svg Guinea
Group C
19 January 2024
17:00
23px Flag of Senegal.svg Senegal
23px Flag of Cameroon.svg Cameroon
Group C
19 January 2024
20:00
23px Flag of Guinea.svg Guinea
23px Flag of The Gambia.svg Gambia
Group C
23 January 2024
17:00
23px Flag of Guinea.svg Guinea
23px Flag of Senegal.svg Senegal
Group C
23 January 2024
20:00
23px Flag of Angola.svg Angola
23px Flag of Burkina Faso.svg Burkina Faso
Group D
29 January 2024
20:00
Winner Group C
3rd Group A/B/F
Round of 16
3 February 2024
20:00
Winner R5
Winner R8
Quarter-finals

Afcon 2023 draw

Group A

Côte d'Ivoire

Nigeria

Equatorial Guinea

Guinea Bissau

Group B

Egypt

Ghana

Cape Verde

Mozambique

Group C

Senegal

Cameroon

Guinea

Gambia

Group D

Algeria

Burkina Faso

Mauritania

Angola

Group E

Tunisia

Mali

South Africa

Namibia

Group F

Morocco

DR Congo

Zambia

Tanzania

Avatar of Harry Robinson

Harry Robinson

A freelance writer and broadcaster, Harry has worked for or featured in/on Manchester United, FourFourTwo, The Independent, The Manchester Mill, UEFA, United We Stand and many others. He's the author of The Men Who Made Manchester United and hosts the Manchester United Weekly Podcast and United Through Time. A Stretford End season ticket holder, Harry travels around Europe to watch his team.

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