The upcoming 2024 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) is not only a pinnacle for football enthusiasts but also an extraordinary opportunity for Côte d’Ivoire to bolster its already strong cooperation with Nigeria. This revelation was passionately conveyed by the Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire to Nigeria, Mr. Kalilou Traore, during an exclusive interview with journalists in Abuja on a serene Sunday.

In the midst of fervent preparations for the AFCON tournament, scheduled to grace the period from January 14 to February 13, 2024, Traore ardently emphasized the necessity for both nations to leverage this grand event as a catalyst for furthering their robust diplomatic ties. “The AFCON is also a big occasion for us to deepen cooperation. We will strengthen fraternity between our two countries,” remarked Traore with an air of optimism.

With the AFCON drawing diverse crowds of football aficionados, Traore envisions a platform not just for witnessing exhilarating matches but also for forging new business connections and nurturing existing ones. “People who go to watch football matches will not just only see the matches, they will meet other people and will do business also,” he elaborated, underlining the multifaceted opportunities this event presents.

As the Ambassador articulated the Embassy’s proactive involvement in organizing and collaborating with partners to facilitate participation in the AFCON, he underscored the broader implications of this collaboration. “So, we as an Embassy, we are organizing with our partners, we are packaging for those who want to participate in Abidjan at AFCON,” he revealed, shedding light on the comprehensive approach being adopted to harness the potential outcomes of this international sports spectacle.

Highlighting the existing camaraderie at the governmental level, Traore underscored, “We have strong agreement, many agreements between Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire government,” signifying the plethora of mutual agreements and robust relationships shared between the two nations.

In the wake of AFCON 2024, it is evident that the tournament transcends the realm of sports, serving as a springboard for fortifying diplomatic relations and fostering a climate of collaboration and mutual prosperity between Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria.