The opening ceremony will include the AFCON's anthem “Akwaba” (the Ghanaian term for “welcome”).
The song by Magic System, an Ivorian coupé-décalé band from Abidjan, also features Yemi Alade, the heavyweight Nigerian female singer and songwriter, and Egypt’s Mohamed Ramadan.
The music video for Akwaba was released on the Magic System's YouTube channel in December 2023, attracting more than five million views to date.
With music by Dany Synthé, the song carries lyrics by the Magic System and Alade, with the segment performed by Ramadan to the lyrics by the Egyptian star working alongside Farghly Blax.
“Do you see people gathered in Africa? Millions are lucky to be happy. Welcome to our continent. Strength in our union ... We are all one. White and Black ...," Ramadan sings in his couplet.
The 24th edition of AFCON will open on 13 January in Abidjan, the economic capital and largest city of Ivory Coast.
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