AFCON 2023 has already defied sceptics with its overly attacking outlook, but which stats have stood out from the competition in Ivory Coast so far?
The first round of games in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has come and gone with some incredible performances, while many of the pre-tournament favourites suffered shockingly poor starts to the tournament.
12:48 - 18.01.2024
AFCON 2023: Ivory Coast close down schools, mobilise fans to fill up the stadium for Super Eagles game
Host nation Ivory Coast are doing all they can to fill up the stadium and intimidate the Super Eagles ahead of the big match in Group A such as closing schools in Abidjan and mobilising supporters with free transportation.
12:22 - 18.01.2024
Morocco's Atlas Lions roar to victory to send shivers through Africa - Pulse of the Day
Morocco is Africa's top-ranked team and showed it in their AFCON2023 opener against Tanzania.
The opening round of fixtures threw up quite a few numbers, with Senegal’s Lamine Camara and Morocco’s air-tight backline taking the biggest plaudits, while Nigeria also showed up with a mixed bag of telling stats.
Nigeria leads xG table at AFCON
Despite the disappointment of the result against Equatorial Guinea, the Super Eagles can take solace in the fact that they were the most threatening team in the first round of matches.
The Super Eagles created more big chances (7) than any other team, beating Senegal (5) and Morocco (4) who both won their opening matches 3-0.
Nigeria also had more expected goals (3.5xG) than any other team in the opening round of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, with Cape Verde (3.0) coming in second.
The downside to Nigeria creating so many high-quality chances and scoring only one goal during their match against Equatorial Guinea is that the Super Eagles are also the team with the most big chances missed, with as many as six clear-cut chances against the Elephants going begging.
Senegal missed four despite their 3-0 win over Gambia during their opening game, while the Teranga Lions’ victory was also helped by the fact that the Scorpions were also profligate, missing three big chances.
Race for the Golden Boot
One of the major culprits for Nigeria’s inability to turn good chances to goals was star striker Victor Osimhen, who, despite scoring the Super Eagles’ only goal, also missed two clear-cut chances, including a one-on-one opportunity at the start of the second half.
Although Osimhen could have had a hat-trick, he is stuck on one goal, behind leading goalscorer Lamine Camara, who struck twice for Senegal in their opener against Gambia.
The 20-year-old became the second-youngest player to score a brace at an AFCON tournament in the 21st century and leads the scoring charts going into the second round of fixtures, ahead of more heralded stars like Osimhen, Mohamed Salah, and Youssef En-Nesyri who have scored one goal each.
Stingy AFCON defences
At the other end of the pitch the 2023 AFCON tournament is shaping up to be one of the least frugal tournaments, with teams giving up goals at a higher rate than any other edition in the last decade.
With 2.25 goals per match, there have been 15% more goals per game in this edition than in the last AFCON tournament in 20222 in Cameroon.
Despite the high-scoring nature of the tournament, some defences have still remained watertight, stifling the opposition’s chance-creating efforts.
Most notably, Morocco, one of the favourites for the competition, were incredibly dominant against Tanzania in their 3-0 win.
They faced the least shots on goal (2) of the first round, and were the only team in the round not to face a single shot on target.
The Atlas Lions goalkeeper Yassine Bounou could have been on vacation in the match against Tanzania without worry as they opened their AFCON campaign by laying down a marker of near perfection.
Related content
12:22 - 18.01.2024
Morocco's Atlas Lions roar to victory to send shivers through Africa - Pulse of the Day
Morocco is Africa's top-ranked team and showed it in their AFCON2023 opener against Tanzania.
12:00 - 18.01.2024
AFCON 2023: Ivory Coast star Sebastien Haller doubtful for Super Eagles clash
Ivory Coast key man Sebastien Haller could miss the clash against the Super Eagles due to injury
11:49 - 18.01.2024
AFCON 2023: Was Morocco’s beatdown of Tanzania really a statement victory?
A comfortable 3-0 triumph for the Atlas Lions on Wednesday showed what they are capable of as protagonists.
06:09 - 18.01.2024
AFCON 2023: Okocha, Ambode provide a boost for the Super Eagles ahead of Ivory Coast clash
The ex-Bolton star and former Lagos Governor lightened up Super Eagles players' mood ahead of the all-important 2023 Africa Cup of Nations clash against Ivory Coast.
21:50 - 17.01.2024
AFCON 2023: Cheikhou Kouyate takes a break from Senegal's squad due to family tragedy
In a heartrending turn of events, Nottingham Forest defender, Cheikhou Kouyate, has exited the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) due to the passing of his father.
20:09 - 17.01.2024
Morocco send warning to rest of Africa with crushing victory in AFCON opener
High-flying Morocco began their AFCON 2023 campaign with an impressive 3-0 win over Tanzania.
20:07 - 17.01.2024
AFCON 2023: Top 7 Hottest Wives and Girlfriends of Super Eagles stars in Ivory Coast
Super Eagles stars have been blessed with some of the most beautiful WAGs in African football.
14:32 - 17.01.2024
FOOTBALL ‘Jirani ateseke’ - Kenyans stir up rivalry with Tanzania as they wish Morocco AFCON success over Taifa Stars
Kenyans extend their rivalry with Tanzania by wishing Morocco a big win against Taifa Stars ahead of Wednesday’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations encounter.
11:06 - 17.01.2024
'I am done' - Victor Osimhen drops career hint ahead of Nigeria's clash against Ivory Coast
Victor Osimhen has revealed his most important goal - an ambitious quest to conquer AFCON glory with Nigeria's Super Eagles
09:46 - 17.01.2024
We must defeat Cote d'Ivoire — Nwabali backs Super Eagles to crush hosts
Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, emphasized the need to secure a victory against hosts Cote d’Ivoire in Group A's blockbuster clash.
23:09 - 16.01.2024
Ivory Coast vs Nigeria: 3 reasons for optimism as Super Eagles take on tournament hosts
Nigeria's match against Ivory Coast has been a cause of concern, but there are still reasons to keep hope alive
20:35 - 16.01.2024
AFCON 2023: 3 tactical changes Jose Peseiro must make to defeat Ivory Coast
Super Eagles of Nigeria head coach Jose Peseiro must make significant adjustments to claim victory against hosts Ivory Coast.
20:00 - 16.01.2024
AFCON 2023: Ivory Coast vs Nigeria match preview, predictions, possible lineups, time and where to watch
The Super Eagles of Nigeria face their toughest test yet at the 2023 AFCON as they take on the hosts, Ivory Coast