Africa Cup of Nations 2023: Dates, UK kick-off times, groups, schedule and how to follow as Senegal aim to defend title in Ivory Coast

The Africa Cup of Nations is set to begin this weekend as the continent's best compete for the title in Ivory Coast.

Senegal are the reigning champions after beating Egypt on penalties in the final in 2021 with the winning spot-kick taken by Sadio Mane. 

Senegal are the reigning AFCON championsCredit: AFP

The Lions of Teranga will be out to defend their crown but Mohamed Salah will want revenge while Morocco, Algeria and the hosts are set to compete for the trophy. 

AFCON 2023: Dates and times

The Africa Cup of Nations will begin on Saturday, January 13.

Group stage action continues until January 24 before the knockout stages begin three days later on January 27. 

Quarter-finals will be played across February 2 and 3 while semi-finals take place on February 7. 

The 2023 AFCON final is then scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 11. 

All of the games will be played at either 2pm, 5pm or 8pm UK time. 

AFCON 2023: How to follow 

All Africa Cup of Nations fixtures will be broadcast live on TV in the UK. 

Sky Sports will be providing coverage of the tournament. 

Fans can also watch the action for free on CAF’s YouTube channel. 

talkSPORT and talkSPORT.com will keep you up to date with all the latest. 

Salah will be out for revenge this winterCredit: AFP

AFCON 2023: Stadiums

All of the games at the Africa Cup of Nations will be played across six stadiums. 

Venues are spread across five host cities within the Ivory Coast - Abidjan, Yamoussoukro, Bouake, Korhogo and San Pedro. 

Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan  Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro  Stade de la Paix, Bouake Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Korhogo  Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pedro 

AFCON 2023: Groups 

The 24 teams have been split into six groups of four teams. 

Hosts Ivory Coast are in Group A alongside Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.

Salah’s Egypt have been drawn in the same group as Ghana in what will be a huge battle between the African giants. 

The holders Senegal are in Group C with Cameroon, setting up another heavyweight clash. 

Group winners, runners up and the four best-ranked third-placed teams will advance to the knockout stages. 

Group A: Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau Group B: Egypt, Ghana, Cape Verde and Mozambique Group C: Senegal, Cameroon, Guinea and The Gambia Group D: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Angola Group E: Tunisia, Mali, South Africa and Namibia Group F: Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia and Tanzania Hosts Ivory Coast are on of the favourites to win the tournamentCredit: AFP

AFCON 2023: Schedule 

(All UK kick-off times)

Saturday, January 13

Ivory Coast vs Guinea-Bissau - 8pm

Sunday, January 14

Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea - 2pm Egypt vs Mozambique - 5pm Ghana vs Cape Verde - 8pm

Monday, January 15 

Senegal vs The Gambia - 2pm Cameroon vs Guinea - 5pm Algeria vs Angola - 8pm

Tuesday, January 16 

Burkina Faso vs Mauritania - 2pm Tunisia vs Namibia - 5pm Mali vs South Africa - 8pm

Wednesday, January 17

Morocco vs Tanzania - 5pm DR Congo vs Zambia - 8pm

Thursday, January 18 

Equatorial Guinea vs Guinea-Bissau - 2pm Ivory Coast vs Nigeria - 5pm Egypt vs Ghana - 8pm

Friday, January 19 

Cape Verde vs Mozambique - 2pm Senegal vs Cameroon - 5pm Guinea vs The Gambia - 8pm

Saturday, January 20 

Algeria vs Burkina Faso - 2pm Mauritania vs Angola - 5pm Tunisia vs Mali - 8pm

Sunday, January 21 

Morocco vs DR Congo - 2pm Zambia vs Tanzania - 5pm  South Africa vs Namibia - 8pm

Monday, January 22 

Equatorial Guinea vs Ivory Coast - 5pm Guinea-Bissau vs Nigeria - 5pm Cape Verde vs Egypt - 8pm Mozambique vs Ghana - 8pm

Tuesday, January 23 

The Gambia vs Cameroon - 5pm Guinea vs Senegal - 5pm Angola vs Burkina Faso - 8pm Mauritania vs Algeria - 8pm

Wednesday, January 24 

Namibia vs Mali - 5pm South Africa vs Tunisia - 5pm Tanzania vs DR Congo - 8pm Zambia vs Morocco - 8pm Morocco had an incredible World Cup and could go all the way at AFCONCredit: Getty

Saturday, January 27 

R16 1: Group D Winner vs 3rd Place Group B/E/F - 5pm R16 2: Group A Second Place vs Group C Second Place - 8pm

Sunday, January 28 

R16 2: Group A Winner vs 3rd Place Group C/D/E - 5pm  R16 3: Group B Second Place vs Group F Second Place - 8pm

Monday, January 29 

R16 4: Group B Winner vs 3rd Place Group A/C/D - 5pm R16 5: Group C Winner vs 3rd Place Group A/B/F - 8pm

Tuesday, January 30 

R16 7: Group E Winner vs Group D Second Place - 5pm R16 8: Group F Winner vs Group E Second Place - 8pm

Friday, February 2 

Quarter-Final 1: Winner of R16 2 vs Winner of R16 1 - 5pm  Quarter-Final 2: Winner of R16 4 vs Winner of R16 3 - 8pm 

Saturday, February 3 

Quarter-Final 3: Winner of R16 7 vs Winner of R16 6 - 5pm  Quarter-Final 4: Winner of R16 5 vs Winner of R16 8 - 8pm 

Wednesday, February 7 

Semi-final 1: Winner of QF1 vs Winner of QF4 - 5pm Semi-Final 2: Winner of QF3 vs Winner of QF2 - 8pm

Saturday, February 10 

Third-place play-off: SF1 loser vs SF2 loser - 8pm

Sunday, February 11 

Final: SF1 winner vs SF1 loser - 8pm