New World Television, the official broadcast rights holder for the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), has appointed UK-based Ghanaian sports journalist George Addo Jnr. as the lead English commentator for the continental showcase in the Ivory Coast.

With extensive experience in calling matches from major international tournaments, Addo Jnr. will take the helm of New World’s coverage for AFCON 2023. His role will commence on-site as the primary commentator for the opening game between Ivory Coast and Guinea Bissau, alongside New World’s Anthony Pla, ex-Cameroon international Sébastien Bassong, and former Togo captain Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor.

Having joined the BBC World Service from Ghana’s Multimedia Group in early 2023, Addo Jnr. brings significant expertise to his new role. He has expertly commentated on various major sporting events, including five previous AFCON tournaments, two European football championships, five UEFA Champions League campaigns, three FIFA World Cup tournaments, and seven Ghana Premier League seasons.

Acknowledged as one of the best English commentators produced in Ghana by the esteemed Mirror newspaper, Addo Jnr.’s clear, distinct, and captivating commentary style on radio and TV has earned him three nominations for the PAV Ansah Communications Award under the prestigious EMY Africa Awards scheme.

Addo Jnr. has covered UEFA Champions League finals from 2016 to 2018 and made history in 2021 by providing commentary on the Euros final between England and Italy from Wembley for Ghana’s Joy FM. He also delivered television commentary for Joy Prime during that tournament, where they held exclusive TV rights to the games.

Excited about the opportunity, Addo Jnr. expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “I am thrilled at the opportunity to join this excellent group of professionals to showcase the AFCON, which is one of the world’s most exciting competitions, to the global audience. I look forward to a fantastic month of colorful stories, goals, and the making of legends.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Addo Jnr. will lead New World’s English-language commentary team throughout the tournament, providing insightful match analysis and sharing his passion for African soccer with a global audience. New World TV will also offer commentary for all 52 AFCON matches in six African languages: Wolof, Bambara, Lingala, Ewe, Swahili, and Hausa.

The 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations is set to kick off in Abidjan on Saturday, January 13, and will run until February 11, 2024.