Several of the behind-the-scenes tales are starting to surface, even after the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has come and gone.
Ivory Coast, the host country, defeated Nigeria 2-1 in the tournament final on Sunday.
The Elephants’ victory was uncontroversial since they gave it their all to win the title in front of thousands of raucous supporters and President Alassane Ouattara.
Every time the camera glanced across the stadium, though, you couldn’t help but wonder why there weren’t more Super Eagles fans.
A few supporters went all the way to Ivory Coast to witness and cheer on José Peseiro’s team in the championship. Obtaining tickets turned out to be more difficult than a camel passing through a needle.
The CEO of the music website NotJustOk, Ovie Ofugara, made this revelation in a tweet on Saturday.
“#AFCON2023 final tickets are more scarce than Bigfoot right now. Almost easier to catch a solar eclipse.
“CAF and the Ivorian organizing committee really bungled this one.
“The only blemish on what has been an otherwise excellent tournament,” Ovie wrote.
It was easier for Ayoola Ajuwon, General Manager of 21st Century Evolution Systems LTD, to obtain tickets.
“For me, it was easy. Obviously tickets got sold out on CAF website, but people still had and hoarded so I’ll say it was tough for a lot of people especially Nigerians coming on Saturday.
“We got for 500USD, but others got way more expensive. It was all down to your source,” Ajuwon tells newsmen.
The hard part for him was now getting into the stadium.
“The trip to the stadium was long. In hindsight, we should have left home around 3:30pm or 4pm.
“We drove for 1hr and we were told to park and join the shuttle which was OK, then a 1km or a little more walk.
“The organization looked good until we got to the gates.
“It was a disaster from that point. Nothing to write home about. This is supposed to be the biggest game in African football,” Ajuwon lamented.
After the game, the intimidation and threats continued.
“I think CAF needs to do better. Even though we lost the match, the home fans threatened us.
“I got back to my lodge without wearing cloth. Just imagine we won,” Popular punter, Boss Olamilekan, wrote on X.
It’s interesting to note that Morocco will host the next AFCON in 2025.
Given that North Africans are known for their cunning, CAF will need to fix a few of the issues that occurred in Ivory Coast before to the event the following year.
