STORY: AFCON kicks off in Cote d'Ivoire, as China-Africa cooperation delivers solid results
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 14, 2024
DATELINE: Jan. 15, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:31
LOCATION: ABIDJAN, Cote d'Ivoire
CATEGORY: SPORTS/ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of football fans during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (French): SERGES KOUADIO, Football fan
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (French): YOUZAN TRABI, Football fan
4. various of the Alassane Ouattara Stadium
5. SOUNDBITE 3 (French): MARIE PAUL KUASSI, Africa Cup of Nations volunteer
6. SOUNDBITE 4 (French): FRANCOIS ALBERT AMICHIA, President of the organizing committee of AFCON
7. various of the Alassane Ouattara Stadium
8. SOUNDBITE 5 (French): FRANCOIS ALBERT AMICHIA, President of the organizing committee of AFCON

STORYLINE:

Excitement is mounting in Cote d'Ivoire as the streets of the West African country are packed with football fans who are here to attend the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The much-anticipated tournament kicked off Saturday night in Abidjan, the commercial capital of Cote d'Ivoire.

SOUNDBITE 1 (French): SERGES KOUADIO, Football fan
"This is a perfect game, and the final winner is the entire Africa. We warmly welcome all African brothers to come and enjoy the Africa Cup of Nations with us!"

SOUNDBITE 2 (French): YOUZAN TRABI, Football fan
"I am very happy that Cote d'Ivoire can host this Africa Cup of Nations, and I am ready for the Cote d'Ivoire national team to win its third title so that I can retire with peace of mind."

The event, spanning a month, will witness the participation of 24 national teams vying for glory at six stadiums across five cities.

The Alassane Ouattara Stadium, commonly known as the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe, is the venue for the opening and final matches of AFCON 2023 and many other matches.

The stadium, with a seating capacity of 60,000, was built by a Chinese company and handed over to the local government in 2020.

SOUNDBITE 3 (French): MARIE PAUL KUASSI, Africa Cup of Nations volunteer
"To be honest, today is my first time entering this stadium. The moment I walked in, I was completely blown away. This stadium is so beautiful! I have visited many stadiums and none is as beautiful as this one."

SOUNDBITE 4 (French): FRANCOIS ALBERT AMICHIA, President of the organizing committee of AFCON
"We are happy for the cooperation between Ivory Coast and China. This is a model of cooperation, and this stadium is the best proof.
From the Culture Palace of Abidjan to the Olympic Stadium, we sincerely thank the Chinese government for its help to the people of Cote d'Ivoire."

Chinese companies have also constructed two additional arenas and several key roads, addressing the potential congestion on Abidjan's thoroughfares during the tournament.

SOUNDBITE 5 (French): FRANCOIS ALBERT AMICHIA, President of the organizing committee of AFCON
"Cote d'Ivoire and China already have a lot of cooperation in certain fields. In the future, we hope that the two countries can carry out all-round exchanges so that all people can benefit. This includes not only cooperation on youth, sports and enterprises, but also direct pairing cooperation between local governments of the two countries."

The connection between China and Africa, as exemplified in AFCON 2023, is part of broader ties nurtured on both sides and is expected to grow stronger.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.
(XHTV)