Cote d’Ivoire declares public holiday ahead of Nigerian match

The Ivorian Government has declared Thursday, January 18 as a public holiday for all schools in the country.
The holiday is not unconnected to the group A second match of the host nation in the ongoing 2023 TotalEnergies CAF African Cup of Nations tournament against the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan on Thursday. This is because the government wants citizens of the francophone country to be well-prepared and offer their full support to the Elephants of Ivory Coast, as they prepare for the match.
In a chat with a source who resides in Cote d’Ivoire, he affirmed the government’s directive. “Yes. All public sectors included. Half working day for banks only,”
The kickoff time for the match is 6pm Nigerian time.
Cote d’Ivoire started their AFCON campaign with a 2-0 victory over Guinea Bissau while Nigeria was held to a 1-1 draw by Equatorial Guinea in their opening game.
Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire have met six times in the AFCON, with two wins for each country and two draws.