Host country of the 2023 AFCON, Côte d'Ivoire saw its image tarnished after the episode of the interruption of the friendly match between the Elephants and Mali at the Ebimpé Stadium. The match was called off at half-time due to rain, as the pitch was unable to absorb the water. A few days later, an audit carried out by the Confederation of African Football revealed serious shortcomings, particularly in the maintenance of the pitch. Faced with this situation, the director of the Office National des Sports (ONS) was dismissed. Mariam Yoda Koné, who held this position, has been replaced by Ousmane Gbané, who was previously Director of Federal Life and High-Level Sport.
