{"id":284889,"date":"2017-01-14T18:16:58","date_gmt":"2017-01-14T18:16:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/citifmonline.com\/?p=284889"},"modified":"2017-01-14T18:16:58","modified_gmt":"2017-01-14T18:16:58","slug":"afcon-2017-kicks-off-with-colorful-opening-ceremony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2017\/01\/afcon-2017-kicks-off-with-colorful-opening-ceremony\/","title":{"rendered":"AFCON 2017 kicks off with colorful opening ceremony"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 31st<\/sup> edition of the African Cup of Nations has been opened at the Stade de l’Amitie in Libreville, Gabon.<\/p>\n

The opening was done by Gabon President, Ali Bongo as well as his Guinea-Bissau counterpart Jos\u00e9 M\u00e1rio Vaz.<\/p>\n

Among the dignitaries present at the opening of the African tournament was CAF President, Issa Hayatou.<\/p>\n

The ceremony saw performances from top African artistes including Tanzania’s Diamond Platinumz, French born Senegalese rapper, Booba, Davido from Nigeria and an appearance by American-born Senegalese, Akon.<\/p>\n

There was also some circus and traditional performance at the stadium before the host nation hosted Guinea-Bissau in the first game that ended 1-1.<\/p>\n