On Friday night, the Organizing Committee (COCAN), in collaboration with the Government of Côte d’Ivoire and CAF, unveiled the official Mascot for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023 in Abidjan.
During a launch event in Abidjan, the official Mascot, named “AKWABA,” was introduced to the Ivorian people, marking the start of the 190-day countdown to the tournament’s kick-off. The opening match is scheduled for January 13, 2023.
The Mascot, AKWABA, derived from a local Ivorian language, represents the word “welcome” and embodies key values that make it a meaningful symbol of the competition: hospitality, friendship, generosity, and team spirit.
AKWABA aims to provide an authentic experience of Ivorian hospitality, connect with fans, players, and nations, and celebrate the spirit of teamwork by promoting cooperation, mutual respect, and fair play.
As the official image of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, AKWABA represents the Ivorian identity and draws inspiration from the country’s iconic elephant. It now serves as the face of the competition.
The Selection Journey of ‘Akwaba’:
Just over a year ago, an open and inclusive competition was organized to allow talented individuals to showcase their creativity and design the mascot for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023.
The competition had three winners: KOUADIO N’Guessan Raoul Frédéric (1st place), COULIBALY Kixa Pemanh Mamadou (2nd place), and BROU Blah (3rd place).
