AFCON 2023: Ivory Coast close down schools, mobilise fans to fill up the stadium for Super Eagles game

The Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan is the location where AFCON 2023 hosts, Ivory Coast will take on Nigeria in a gigantic Group A clash.

Not only is this the biggest game of the group for both teams, it is also the biggest clash of the entire tournament so far as the second round of group stage games kick off today.

The importance of this clash is not lost on the Ivorians who are reportedly pulling all the stops to make sure the stadium is packed in a bid to capitalise fully on their home advantage and intimidate the Nigerians.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria can expect a hostile environment when they take on Ivory Coast by 6 pm Nigerian time today, January 18 and it is entirely by design of the host nation.

Nigerian journalist, Latifat Adebayo-Ohio popularly known as 'Phatill' reports from Ivory Coast where she made an observation on the host nation's preparations for this big game against the Super Eagles.

The report made on Phatill's official Twitter page states that schools in Abidjan have been closed for today so that the home fans can make their way to the stadium in time for the game happening in the same city later today.

She also reports that fans are being transported to the stadium as early as seven hours before kickoff which means we can expect a fully charged atmosphere in Ivory Coast's favour.

The Ivorians opened the tournament with a 2-0 win against Guinea-Bissau in front of 36,000 people and it looks like they will beat that number against Nigeria today.