Facts and Figures from the just concluded AFCON tournament in Cote d’Ivoire which saw host nation emerge as winners (Govima Sport Reports)
AFCON 2023 which was held in the coast of West Africa precisely in Cote d’Ivoire was a joy to watch with intriguing results all through the competition. The tournament came to an end on Sunday 11th February 2024, with the Host Nation Cote d’Ivoire emerging as champions.
Below are the facts and figures from Africa’s top football competition and all the awardees for the 34th AFCON tournament.
For the 12th time in history, the host country have won the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, and the first since Egypt in 2006. For Côte d’Ivoire, this is their third title ever, after 1992 in Senegal and 2015 in Equatorial Guinea.
Nigeria have been eliminated in the Africa Cup of Nations final for the fifth time (after 1984, 1988, 1990 and 2000), equalling Ghana for the joint-most a side has finished as the tournament’s runners-up.
Emerse Faé is the very first manager to win a CAF Africa Cup of Nations tournament without starting the edition as head coach of his team.
Nigeria only attempted five shots on Sunday, their fewest tally in a Africa Cup of Nations game since Opta collects this data (2010).
Nigeria’s William Troost-Ekong is the first defender/full back to score three goals in a same CAF Africa Cup of Nations edition since Opta collects this data (2010).
William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria) and Sébastien Haller (Côte d’Ivoire) are the first players to score in both CAF semi-final and final in a same CAF Africa Cup of Nations edition since Gedo with Egypt in 2010.
Franck Kessié has scored two goals in his last four CAF Africa Cup of Nations games (1 v Senegal in the last 16, 1 v Nigeria today), after finding the net just once in his first 15 in the tournament. He has scored the very first goal for Côte d’Ivoire in a CAF AFCON final, for their fifth game at this stage.
Côte d’Ivoire’s Simon Adingra is the first player to assist twice in a CAF Africa Cup of Nations final in the 21stcentury.
At 36 years and 73 days, Côte d’Ivoire’s Max-Alain Gradel became the oldest outfield player to appear in a CAF Africa Cup of Nations final since Opta collects this data (2008) and the second overall behind Egypt’s goalkeeper Essam El Hadary (37 years in 2010 and 44 years in 2017).
On the other hand, it was missed feelings for a certain Nigeria Skipper William Troost-Ekong who lost the final but also emerged as AFCON’s best player.
William Troost-Ekong was declared the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire although he ended up in the losing side.
He is also the first defender to score three goals in an Africa Cup of Nations edition
With Sebastien Haller of Cote d’Ivoire, both became the first players to score in both CAF semi-final and final in a same edition since Gedo of Egypt did in 2010.
The award is a bitter-sweet consolation for Ekong whose leadership quality was well acknowledged.
The PAOK centre-back played a pivotal role, leading the Super Eagles to their first final appearance since 2013. Despite scoring the opening goal, he couldn’t prevent his team from succumbing to goals from Franck Kessie and Sebastien Haller.
The 30-year-old’s three goals throughout the tournament stand as a record for defenders in the past two decades.
