Africa Cup of Nations 2023: Dates, UK kick-off times, groups, schedule and how to follow as tournament reaches semi-finals

The Africa Cup of Nations is now underway 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 champions but are out this time aroundCredit: AFP

However, the Lions of Teranga have been knocked out of the tournament this time around, meaning a new winner will be crowned.

Hosts Ivory Coast have reached the final four while Nigeria, DR Congo and South Africa will all be competing for the trophy.

AFCON 2023: Dates and times

The Africa Cup of Nations began 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 suffered a hamstring injury in Egypt's second gameCredit: 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 have reached the final fourCredit: AFP

AFCON 2023: Schedule 

(All UK kick-off times)

Saturday, January 13

Ivory Coast 2-0 Guinea-Bissau

Sunday, January 14

Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea Egypt 2-2 Mozambique Ghana 1-2 Cape Verde

Monday, January 15 

Senegal 3-0 Gambia Cameroon 1-1 Guinea Algeria 1-1 Angola

Tuesday, January 16 

Burkina Faso 1-0 Mauritania Tunisia 0-1 Namibia Mali 2-0 South Africa

Wednesday, January 17

Morocco 3-0 Tanzania DR Congo 1-1 Zambia

Thursday, January 18 

Equatorial Guinea 4-2 Guinea-Bissau Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria Egypt 2-2 Ghana

Friday, January 19 

Cape Verde 3-0 Mozambique Senegal 3-1 Cameroon Guinea 1-0 Gambia

Saturday, January 20 

Algeria 2-2 Burkina Faso Mauritania 2-3 Angola Tunisia 1-1 Mali

Sunday, January 21 

Morocco 1-1 DR Congo Zambia 1-1 Tanzania South Africa 4-0 Namibia

Monday, January 22 

Equatorial Guinea 4-0 Ivory Coast Guinea-Bissau 0-1 Nigeria Cape Verde 2-2 Egypt Mozambique 2-2 Ghana

Tuesday, January 23 

The Gambia 2-3 Cameroon Guinea 0-2 Senegal Angola 2-0 Burkina Faso Mauritania 1-0 Algeria

Wednesday, January 24 

Namibia 0-0 Mali South Africa 0-0 Tunisia Tanzania 0-0 DR Congo Zambia 0-1 Morocco Morocco had an incredible World Cup but couldn't go all the way at AFCONCredit: Getty

Saturday, January 27 

Angola 3-0 Namibia Nigeria 2-0 Cameroon

Sunday, January 28 

Equatorial Guinea 0-1 Guinea  Egypt 1-1 (7-8) DR Congo

Monday, January 29 

Cape Verde 1-0 Mauritania Senegal 1-1 (4-5) Ivory Coast

Tuesday, January 30 

Mali 2-1 Burkina Faso Morocco 0-2 South Africa

Friday, February 2 

Nigeria 1-0 Angola DR Congo 3-1 Guinea

Saturday, February 3 

Mali 1-2 Ivory Coast Cape Verde 0-0 (1-2) South Africa

Wednesday, February 7 

Semi-final 1: Nigeria vs South Africa - 5pm Semi-Final 2: Ivory Coast vs DR Congo - 8pm

Saturday, February 10 

Third-place play-off: Nigeria / South Africa vs Ivory Coast / DR Congo - 8pm

Sunday, February 11 

Final: Nigeria / South Africa vs Ivory Coast / DR Congo - 8pm