As the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) beckons, it’s time to delve into the record books of this prestigious tournament.
With its rich history and cultural significance, AFCON remains a focal point of African football, celebrating its athletes who shine across global stages. Here’s a look at some of the most remarkable records set in the tournament’s history.
1. Most Tournament Wins by a Country: Egypt leads with seven victories, including consecutive wins in 1957, 1959, 2006, 2008, and 2010. Their dominance in the tournament is unparalleled, making them the team with the most AFCON wins.
2. Most Caps by a Player: Cameroonian defender Rigobert Song holds the record with 36 appearances. He’s followed by André Ayew of Ghana and Egypt’s Ahmed Hassan, with 34 and 32 caps respectively, marking them as stalwarts of the competition.
3. Most Goals in AFCON History: Samuel Eto’o of Cameroon is the top scorer with 18 goals. Laurent Pokou of Ivory Coast follows with 14. Among current players, Ghana’s Andre Ayew (10 goals), Cameroon’s Vincent Aboubakar (9 goals), and Senegal’s Sadio Mane (8 goals) are the closest contenders.
4. Longest Unbeaten Run: Egypt also holds the record for the longest unbeaten streak, lasting 21 matches from 2008 to 2010. This run coincided with their historic three consecutive tournament victories.
5. Most Goals in a Single Tournament: Ndaye Mulamba’s record of nine goals in a single tournament for Zaire in 1974 stands tall. His feat remains unchallenged for over four decades.
6. Most Goals in a Single Match: Laurent Pokou’s five goals in Ivory Coast’s 6-1 victory over Ethiopia in 1970 is a performance still etched in the memories of football enthusiasts.
7. Youngest Ever Goalscorer: Shiva N’Zigou of Gabon, at 16 years and 93 days old, scored in the 2000 tournament, marking him as the youngest player to do so in AFCON history.
8. Most Points Accumulated by a Team: Egypt again leads with 200 points, with Ghana (183 points) and Nigeria (181 points) following. This record underscores Egypt’s consistent performance over the years.
9. AFCON Wins by a Manager with Two Different Countries: Hervé Renard’s victories with Zambia (2012) and Ivory Coast (2015) make him the only manager to win the tournament with two different countries.
10. Hosts Winning the Tournament: Egypt was the last host nation to win AFCON in 2006, showcasing the advantage of playing on home soil.
11. Tournament With the Most Goals Scored: The 2019 edition saw 102 goals, the highest in the tournament’s history, closely followed by the 2022 edition with 100 goals.
12. Most Losses in Finals: Ghana’s Black Stars have lost five times in nine final appearances, a record they would be keen to change.
As we await the kickoff of the 2023 AFCON, these records remind us of the rich legacy and the high standards of football excellence that the tournament has nurtured over the years.
Each edition brings its own set of surprises and potential record-breaking performances, making AFCON a truly exciting event for football fans worldwide.
Will any of these records be broken this year? Only time will tell as the African continent once again gears up to celebrate its footballing prowess.
SOURCE: Bettors
