Serge Aurier eyes tough Group F challenge as Cote d'Ivoire defends title
Defending champions Côte d'Ivoire will face a tough test in Group F of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, drawn alongside five-time winners Cameroon, Gabon, and Mozambique.
Speaking after the draw held in Rabat on Monday night, Ivorian captain Serge Aurier acknowledged the challenge but exuded confidence in his team's ability to progress.
'Of course, it's difficult. Matches between Cameroon and Cote d'Ivoire are always intense,' Aurier said.
'But we cannot overlook Gabon and Mozambique. African football has progressed significantly, and every team poses a challenge.'
Côte d'Ivoire, fresh from their triumphant home-soil campaign in 2023, aim to replicate their success in Morocco.
Aurier emphasized the importance of advancing beyond the group stage, citing the team's proven ability to excel in knockout rounds.
'We hope to get out of this group. We know our strength once we progress, as we showed at the last AFCON. We are clear on what we need to do to go all the way,' he added.
Aurier called on Ivorian fans to support the team as they aim for back-to-back titles.
'We know what it means to represent Côte d'Ivoire. Our supporters drive us forward, and we'll give everything to make them proud,' he said.
The Elephants will open their title defence against Mozambique in Marrakech, a fixture that Aurier believes will set the tone for their campaign.
Group F has been dubbed the "Group of Death" due to the high-profile clash between Côte d'Ivoire and Cameroon.
The two giants share a storied history in the tournament, and their latest encounter promises to deliver fireworks.
Cameroon, led by Belgian coach Marc Brys, boast a mix of experienced stars and rising talents.
Gabon, featuring Premier League standout Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and a determined Mozambique side complete a challenging group.
The 2025 tournament, set to run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, will take place across six Moroccan cities.
Hosts Morocco headline Group A alongside Mali, Zambia, and Comoros, while Group B rekindles the rivalry between Egypt and South Africa, joined by Angola and Zimbabwe.
Other groups feature heavyweight matchups, with Senegal drawn in Group D alongside DR Congo, Benin, and Botswana.
Algeria, seeking redemption after two poor campaigns, leads Group E with Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, and Sudan.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CAF
14 hours ago
- CAF
Jennifer Echegini (Nigeria): 'I can't wait to experience this WAFCON'
A revelation at PSG since her arrival in 2024, Jennifer Echegini is about to play in her very first TotalEnergies CAF Women's Cup of Nations with Nigeria Born in the Netherlands and developed between England and the United States, she never hesitated—her heart has always beaten for the Super Falcons 'People often reduce us to just our speed. But we have so much more to offer,' warns the Parisian midfielder, determined to break stereotypes At 24, the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Africa Women's Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 will be her first. Jennifer Echegini approaches it with the maturity of a player who has already faced the pressure of the Olympics and the World Cup. But for her, the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON is more than just another tournament: it's a source of pride, a responsibility, a deep connection to the history and soul of Nigerian football. Arriving in Paris in the summer of 2024, the Super Falcon quickly made her mark in an elite squad. 'She creates danger every time she touches the ball,' praises teammate Grace Geyoro. Behind her technical skills and game intelligence lies an unusual journey: born in Nijmegen, Netherlands, trained in England and the U.S, Echegini has always carried the desire to represent Nigeria. 'It's a conviction that has always driven me,' she says. Today, she shares the PSG locker room with other African talents like Agueissa Diarra (Mali) and Merveille Kanjinga (DR Congo). Her advice? 'Believe in yourself, no matter where you come from. In Paris, only discipline and passion matter.' A powerful message from a player who refuses clichés: 'We're often reduced to speed or power, but African women's football is so much more than that.' With only a few weeks to go before the Women's AFCON kicks off in Morocco (July 5–26), Jennifer Echegini is ready to step into the spotlight: 'This tournament brings a different intensity, a unique emotion. It's our legacy,' she says with determination. Since July, you've been playing for PSG. What do you appreciate most about your new life in Paris? Jennifer Echegini: There are so many things I love here. What stands out the most is being able to train every day alongside exceptional players. Every session is a learning moment. Some of them I used to admire on TV when I was younger, so now sharing the field with them and learning from them is such a rich experience. You were the first African player to join PSG. What message did you share with Agueissa Diarra (Mali) and Merveille Kanjinga (DR Congo), your two African teammates, when they joined? I told them to believe in themselves. It doesn't matter where you come from—your background should never limit you. Being from a particular country or region doesn't define your value. What matters is what you show on the field. At PSG, we're all on the same level, in the same locker room, and we have to fight for what we want. Self-belief is the key. Paris has recently invested in several African players, including yourself. What do you think about this trend, and what impact can it have on the development of women's football in Africa? I'm proud that European clubs are starting to take us seriously. Too often, African players are reduced to just strength or speed, but we have so much more to offer the game. This recognition changes things. It sends a strong message to young girls across the continent: if we made it, they can too. They shouldn't limit themselves to stereotypical traits. At 24, you've already played in the World Cup and the Olympics… and now you're preparing for your first TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Women's Cup of Nations. What does this tournament mean to you? It's very special. I've been in major international competitions, but I haven't played in an WAFCON yet. This will be my first time, and I'm very excited. I watched the last edition two years ago and already thought: 'One day, it'll be my turn.' Now that moment is here. It's a different atmosphere, a different energy. Representing my country on the African continent is a huge honor. The Women's AFCON is about history, culture, emotion. I can't wait to live it from the inside. Nigeria will play in Group B alongside Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana. How do you assess this group? It's a tough group. On paper, we're the favourites, clearly. But in this kind of tournament, that doesn't mean anything. No team should be taken lightly. We'll need to be focused from the first minute and never underestimate the opposition. What role do you expect to play for the Super Falcons during this AFCON? I'm a midfielder, so my role is to create, organize, and also score when I can. I want to be a constant support for my teammates across all areas of the pitch. Nothing complicated—just doing what I know how to do. Simply being useful. Nigeria is a powerhouse on the continent, with a rich history in this competition. How do you handle the pressure of always needing to win? We live with it. The pressure has always been there. When you wear the Nigerian jersey, you know the expectations are sky-high. But that's a good thing, really. It's those standards that shape who we are. Nigeria has won this competition multiple times. As the new generation, it's our duty to carry on that tradition. So yes, there's pressure. But everyone—the fans, the staff, us—wants the same thing: victory. With increased media coverage, do you sense a change in how African fans view women's football? Definitely. I've been with the team for three years now, and I see real progress. There's more coverage, more interest, more visibility. This tournament has always been important, but it didn't get talked about enough. Today, things are changing—and that's excellent. The more people understand the importance of this competition, the more African women's football will grow. What message do you want to send to young African girls watching you from Lagos, Cotonou, or Abidjan, dreaming of following in your footsteps? I'd simply tell them to believe in themselves and never stop working hard. Every journey is unique. I'm Nigerian, but I wasn't born in Nigeria. I grew up in the Netherlands, in the UK, spent time in the US… My story is different from some of my teammates who grew up in Lagos or Abuja. But that's the point: no matter where you come from, the path may be different, but the destination can be the same. We can all reach the top level, each in our own way. You have to believe in yourself and never doubt. You set your own ceiling. If you tell yourself you won't make it, then you won't. Don't let anyone convince you that you can't. Work hard, believe in yourself, and go for it.
CAF
2 days ago
- CAF
CAF deepens reforms with Governance and Finance workshop in Benin
The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has taken another significant step in its mission to strengthen the governance and financial frameworks of African football with a three-day workshop held in Cotonou, Benin, from 2–4 June 2025. The initiative brought together General Secretaries and Finance Directors from 17 Member Associations of the continental football governing body. This marks the fourth edition of the Governance and Finance workshop, and with it, CAF has successfully ensured the participation of all 54 Member Associations in this new initiative. This milestone underscores CAF's commitment to inclusive development and strengthening capacity across the entire African football landscape. The workshop is part of CAF's ongoing governance drive towards a continent-wide effort, inspired by the vision of CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, to make African football globally respected and sustainably run. The workshop in Cotonou, Benin was led by CAF's Member Associations Division in collaboration with the Legal Affairs Division. The intensive programme covered governance, financial processes, model statutes, conflict of interest policies, and audit mechanisms. Day one focused on legal governance, while day two explored core financial governance principles, including budgeting, procurement, and financial compliance. The final day included a review session and the creation of action plans. CAF Director of Member Associations, Sarah Mukuna, described the event as 'another milestone in CAF's commitment to empowering our Member Associations with the tools to be globally competitive and self-sustaining.' 'There is no growth in football without solid structures,' Mukuna said. 'Workshops like this equip administrators with clear understanding of governance roles, responsibilities, and ethical frameworks. Our goal is to build strong institutions at every level of African football.' Participants echoed the sentiment. Claude Paqui, General Secretary of Benin's Football Association, said: 'This is an excellent initiative. The workshop has equipped many with essential tools to govern and manage their federations effectively. For those who had prior exposure, this was a valuable refresher.' For Fernanda de Jesus Jama António, General Secretary of Angola's FA, the experience was both technical and transformative. 'We tackled fundamental topics: governance structures, corruption risks, stakeholder management, and financial control. The practical case studies made the sessions relevant and applicable to our national contexts,' she said. Pascal Deto, Finance Director of Côte d'Ivoire's FA, praised the clarity with which the workshop outlined the responsibilities of senior federation leaders. 'It helped define the roles of the President, General Secretary, and Finance Director—especially regarding delegation of authority and collaborative governance,' he said. The Cotonou gathering concluded with Member Associations developing customised action plans to implement reforms upon return to their countries. The next step in CAF's governance programme is to deliver dedicated governance workshops directly within Member Associations. This localized approach will allow for deeper engagement with individual federation structures and the specific challenges they face, further reinforcing CAF's commitment to building sustainable and accountable football institutions across Africa. Previous editions of the workshop have been held in Johannesburg, Addis Ababa and Alger. As CAF continues to roll out these initiatives across the continent, African football's future will depend not only on talent and performance but also on the strength of its institutions.
CAF
2 days ago
- CAF
CAF and TECNO announce new sponsorship agreement making TECNO the Official Global Partner of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 and 2027
Published: Thursday, 05 June 2025 The Confédération Africaine de Football ('CAF') and TECNO concluded an agreement making TECNO the Official Global Partner of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 and TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 in East Africa. The new agreement announced in Nairobi, Kenya today by the CAF General Secretary, Véron Mosengo-Omba and TECNO Vice President Shiming Jiang, follows TECNO's successful partnership resulting in unprecedented growth during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d'Ivoire 2023 where they joined as the exclusive smartphone sponsor for the event. 'We thank CAF and its President Dr Motsepe for the vision to grow football in Africa. Together, we will can achieve great things' TECNO Vice-President, Shiming Jiang said.
