Afcon 2023, Africa’s premier football event, is approaching swiftly, set to kick off in Ivory Coast, the tournament’s host for the second time. Commencing on Saturday, 13 January at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, the opening match features Ivory Coast taking on Guinea-Bissau. The action continues with Egypt facing Mozambique in Group B and holders Senegal defending their title against The Gambia in Group C on Monday, 15 January.

Curious about the tournament’s format, group fixtures, and match timings? Look no further for comprehensive insights ahead of the 34th edition of this colossal sporting event, provided by BBC Sport Africa.

Group Breakdown:
The 24 participating teams are divided into six groups, with intriguing match-ups in each. Notable clashes include Egypt vs. Ghana in Group B and Senegal vs. Cameroon in Group C.

Schedule and Kick-off Times:
During the group stages until 24 January, multiple matches are scheduled daily at 14:00, 17:00, and 20:00 (all times GMT). Following this, the knockout stages begin on Saturday, 27 January, maintaining the same timing pattern for the games.

Venues:
Six stadiums across five host cities in Ivory Coast will set the stage for Afcon 2023’s thrilling matches. These venues boast significant capacities and have either been newly constructed or renovated for the tournament, showcasing the country’s commitment to infrastructure development.

Front-Runners and Form Teams:
Several teams, including Senegal, Algeria, Morocco, and Ivory Coast, are highly anticipated contenders. However, the landscape presents exciting prospects, with new talents rising in teams like Senegal, notwithstanding the departure of key players.

Fixture Highlights:
From the opening clash between Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau to the finals on Sunday, 11 February, each match promises gripping football action, showcasing the talent and competitiveness of African football on a grand stage.

Stay updated on Afcon 2023’s fixtures, schedules, and group dynamics as the continent braces for an exhilarating football extravaganza!”

**Group Stage Fixtures:**

**Saturday 13 January**
– Ivory Coast vs Guinea-Bissau, Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (20:00)

**Sunday 14 January**
– Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea, Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan (14:00)
– Egypt vs Mozambique, Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (17:00)
– Ghana vs Cape Verde, Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (20:00)

**Monday 15 January**
– Senegal vs The Gambia, Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro (14:00)
– Cameroon vs Guinea, Yamoussoukro (17:00)
– Algeria vs Angola, Stade de la Paix, Bouake (20:00)

**Tuesday 16 January**
– Burkina Faso vs Mauritania, Bouake (14:00)
– Tunisia vs Namibia, Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Korhogo (17:00)
– Mali vs South Africa, Korhogo (20:00)

**Wednesday 17 January**
– Morocco vs Tanzania, Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pedro (17:00)
– DR Congo vs Zambia, San Pedro (20:00)

Betting

– **Senegal: 7/1**
– **Ivory Coast: 8/1**
– **Morocco: 8/1**
– **Egypt: 10/1**
– **Nigeria: 11/1**
– **Cameroon: 11/1**
– **Algeria: 12/1**
– **Tunisia: 13/1**
– **Mali: 26/1**
– **Ghana: 30/1**
– **DR Congo: 41/1**
– **Burkina Faso: 51/1**
– **Gabon: 51/1**
– **South Africa: 51/1**
– **Guinea: 81/1**
– **Zambia: 81/1**
– **Cape Verde Isl.: 101/1**
– **Equatorial Guinea: 101/1**
– **Tanzania: 126/1**
– **Angola: 201/1**
– **Gambia: 201/1**
– **Namibia: 201/1**
– **Mozambique: 251/1**
– **Malawi: 350/1**
– **Sierra Leone: 401/1**
– **Guinea-Bissau: 500/1**
– **Mauritania: 750/1**
– **Ethiopia: 1000/1**
– **Comoros: 1000/1**
– **Sudan: 1001/1**
– **Zimbabwe: 1001/1**

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Rory McIlroy, a prominent figure in golf, expresses openness to participating in a tournament linked with LIV Golf, under certain conditions resembling cricket’s Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite his initial opposition to LIV, McIlroy envisions a transformation where LIV could emulate the IPL’s team-oriented format, potentially integrating within the broader golf ecosystem.

McIlroy’s Vision for LIV Golf

The golfer, currently ranked second globally, emphasizes the appeal of a format that spans a dedicated two-month calendar, fostering a distinctive team-based approach. McIlroy believes such an adaptation would align better within the golfing landscape.

LIV Golf vs. Established Tours

Distinguishing itself from traditional tours, LIV revolves around team events, dividing its 48 players into 12 teams, a stark contrast to the individual-centric nature of established golf circuits.

Shift in Perspective

McIlroy, a four-time major winner, acknowledges his initial strong stance against LIV, once even expressing the possibility of retirement if LIV Golf became the sole platform for the sport.

Evolving Stance on LIV Golf

Acknowledging LIV as an integral part of golf, McIlroy admits to a shift in perspective. He emphasizes the significance of utilizing financial investments within the sport responsibly, advocating for directing funds towards grassroots programs to nurture golf’s growth, rather than solely focusing on player acquisitions.

Reflecting on Previous Criticism

Expressing regret over his earlier critical views of players joining LIV Golf, McIlroy now understands the diverse motivations behind such decisions. He emphasizes that professional golfers, like himself, strive to make a living and acknowledges the complexities influencing individual choices.

McIlroy’s Optimism and Call for Unity

Maintaining a positive outlook, McIlroy hopes for a reunion between different factions within golf. He advocates setting aside personal and ego-driven sentiments for the collective betterment of the sport.

Vision for Golf’s Unified Future

Highlighting the divided opinions among players and the desire for reconciliation, McIlroy advocates for unity and collaboration, aiming for a positive collective advancement in the world of golf.

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Click for live scores on Dublin v Roscommon 

Recent Form:

Dublin come into this encounter fresh off the back of winning their 13th consecutive provincial championship after a routine win over Louth. While also defeating Laois and Kildare respectively along the way.

Roscommon will look to bounce back after losing out to Galway in the Connacht championship Semi Final.

Head-to-Head:

This championship match marks the seventh meeting between Dublin and Roscommon. However, history has favored Dublin, as they have emerged victorious in all six previous encounters. Notably, Dublin has amassed an impressive tally of 6-50 against Roscommon in their last two championship clashes in 2018 and 2019. Moreover, Dublin’s dominance extends beyond this matchup, as they scored an impressive 9-51 against Laois and Louth in the Leinster quarter-final and final, respectively.

While Roscommon faces an uphill battle against Dublin, they will aim to defy the odds and secure a historic victory. Roscommon’s last triumph over Dublin in Croke Park dates back to the 1984 National League when they emerged victorious with a narrow 0-8 to 0-6 win in a Division 2 clash. Despite Dublin’s formidable record, it’s worth noting that the only teams to defeat them in the championship since 2015 were Mayo in 2021 and Kerry in 2022.

Key Battles:

For Roscommon to stand a chance on Sunday, they will have to rely on their defence which was the best in division 1, conceding just 3 goals. That means experienced campaigners such as David Murray along with Daly brothers Niall and Conor, will have to be at their optimum level to stop the Dublin full forward line.

Starting Teams

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Prediction:

Roscommon managed to be competitive in all games they have played in division 1 this year and Davy Burke’s charges might feel that they can cause an upset.

Dublin look to have dusted off the cobwebs against Louth, after a lethargic performance against Kildare the previous day out. Dublin to win by 5

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