Clarifying AFCON details

I need to avoid heavy formatting and keep it simple. The defending champions of AFCON 2023, which is played in early 2024, are Senegal, who won AFCON 2021. The opening match is hosted by Côte d'Ivoire, but Senegal will open their group later. It mentions that defending champions have been unbeaten in their opening matches for the last 14 editions. I should double-check this and provide a list if needed. Let’s confirm what the user wants!Reviewing AFCON defending champions

I could provide some quick facts about previous defending champions in AFCON. For instance, in 2019, Cameroon (winners of AFCON 2017) had their first match against Guinea-Bissau, winning 2-0. Algeria, the 2021 defending champions, drew 0-0 with Sierra Leone and didn’t advance. Ivory Coast’s 2017 match against Togo also ended in a 0-0 draw. Nigeria didn’t qualify in 2015, raising questions about definition. It seems I can trace this back to 1996—interesting, let’s check it out!Clarifying AFCON editions and offers

AFCON has had editions in 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023, totaling 16. If I count from 1998 to 2023, I see 14 editions that could support the data claim, but verification is needed. I should ask if the user wants me to fact-check this and provide a list. They might also want help with a title rewrite or article context. Let’s offer options!