Mikel, Drogba, Mane, Hakimi named as AFCON 2023 draw assistants

A formidable quartet of Africa’s football legends, featuring Didier Drogba, Mikel Obi, Sadio Mane, and Achraf Hakimi, will stand alongside the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as draw assistants for the final draw of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Scheduled to take place at the stunning, newly constructed Parc des Expositions venue in Abidjan tonight, the draw is set to commence at 7 pm local time and will be broadcasted live on CAF TV (YouTube).

With viewership expected from over 50 countries, the final draw will be presented on CAF’s Official YouTube channel and across CAF’s Global TV partners.

Didier Drogba, the Ivorian icon and all-time leading goal scorer for Cote d’Ivoire, with an impressive 65 goals in 105 internationals, is hailed as the hometown hero among the esteemed draw assistants. Notably, he secured Cote d’Ivoire’s first-ever goal in the FIFA World Cup in 2006.

Sadio Mane, the irrepressible football sensation, who clinched victory for Senegal in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, holds the spotlight as a two-time CAF African Player of the Year. He will grace the final draw stage in Abidjan and is also Senegal’s all-time leading scorer.

Adding to the star-studded lineup is Paris Saint Germain right back Achraf Hakimi, a vital player in Morocco’s historic journey to the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-final.

Anticipation for the Final Draw has attracted delegations, coaches from each of the 24 participating nations, CAF legends, international media, CAF commercial partners, showbiz celebrities, and African leaders. The event will truly set the stage for what promises to be an exceptional AFCON tournament.