AFCON 2023 : Significant Boost In Play Quality

Côte d'Ivoire's electrifying victory over Nigeria capped off a remarkable AFCON 2023, marking a significant turning point for African football on the global stage. The 119 goals in 52 games made the competition the most prolific since the institution of the 24 teams system. Play quality experienced significant progress with teams prioritizing defense to favour counter attacks; as well as the use of set pieces to break deadlocks. While past tournaments boasted star power, this edition thrived on a unique narrative where most of the expected stars were booted out allowing the young folks to excel.
High Level Competitiveness
AFCON 2023 was very prolific with an average of 2.28 goals per match. But don't underestimate the defensive battles. Tight encounters with narrow margins kept fans on the edge of their seats, showcasing both attacking prowess and defensive resilience. A resilience incarnated by Nigeria’s defender, William Troost-Ekong who was named Best Player of the tournament. The Equatorial Guinea-Guinea Bissau game which ended 4-2 produced the highest number of goals scored in this competition. The scorers' charts symbolises the rise of unexpected heroes. Despite stars like Victor Osimhen and Sadio Mané, it was Emilio Nsue who was the tournament's Golden Boot winner. It should be said that Equatorial Guinea was booted out since the round of 16 but no other player could catch up with Nsue.
The competitiveness of the tournament could also be seen at the level of drama and upsets. Right from the group stage, with only Senegal managing a perfect nine points, it was clear anything could happen. A record 15 draws in the group stage underlined the fierce competitiveness. Gone were the days of pre-determined outcomes – every match was a nail-biter. The expanded 24-team format provided a platform for established powerhouses and underdogs alike. Côte d'Ivoire's triumph under interim coach Emerse Fae is symbolic. It challenges the long-held dominance o...