With 190 days to go until the 34th Africa Cup of Nations, which will take place in Ivory Coast, the organizing committee has revealed the official mascot: Akwaba the elephant, presented as an ambassador of Ivorian hospitality. A competition was held to find this mascot. Three young artists were rewarded during the unveiling ceremony.
Opinions differ, but one thing is certain: the mascot for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations is sure to make an impression. It was unveiled last Friday, July 7, at the Hotel Ivoire in Abidjan.
"Your host for the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Côte d'Ivoire 2023 is ready. A mascot whose personality, generosity, and above all hospitality you will appreciate. Everyone, meet Akwaba," reads the CAF Twitter account in a 37-second video.
With its trunk raised and its ear tattooed in the colors of Côte d'Ivoire, the Akwaba elephant is dressed in the Côte d'Ivoire jersey, pagne-style soccer shorts, and a headdress that references royalty in the Akan country.
Akwaba, which means "hospitality," comes from dialects spoken in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. The word is symbolized by the monumental Akwaba statue, created in 1989 by Koffi Donkor and erected in the middle of the intersection at the exit of Félix Houphouët Boigny Airport in Abidjan.
The winner of the contest is Frédéric Kouadio, former major of the Beaux-Arts in Abidjan. He wins 10 million CFA francs.
"Simple and effective," say most internet users, referring mainly to the mascot's design. The Akwaba elephant will soon be displayed in the streets of every city in the country until the first whistle of the CAN on January 13, 2024.