What You Need to Know
As the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco concludes, teams are gearing up for challenging matches ahead. Notable performances include Ibrahim Díaz, who has scored in four consecutive matches, and Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman, who has contributed significantly to his team’s success. The tournament has seen no major surprises, with top-ranked teams advancing to the quarter-finals.
Africa. With the conclusion of the Round of 16 matches in the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, the qualifying teams have begun preparations for the challenging upcoming encounters, with high hopes of advancing to the semi-finals.
The anticipated clash will take place next Friday when Mali faces off against Senegal, the reigning champions from the previous edition in 2021, followed by the second match between the host nation, Morocco, and Cameroon.
On the following day, Algeria will take on Nigeria in a match between two of the best-performing teams in the tournament so far, while Egypt, the most decorated team in the tournament’s history, will face Ivory Coast, the defending champions from the last edition in 2023.
Key Statistics and Figures from the Africa Cup of Nations
There have been no surprises in the tournament, and a quick glance reveals that the eight highest-ranked teams, according to the FIFA World Ranking at the time of the draw, have successfully advanced to the quarter-finals.
Unlike previous editions, this tournament has not seen any unexpected outcomes, as the traditional powerhouses have showcased their strength. Thus, every match in the quarter-finals appears to be a clash between giants of the continent, making it difficult to predict the results.
Nigeria’s Strong Offense
Nigeria leads the tournament in terms of offensive strength, having scored 12 goals in their four matches so far, making them a serious contender for the title due to their attacking prowess in the final third of the field.
The “Super Eagles” boast the best players in Africa for 2023 and 2024, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, along with Alex Iwobi in midfield, forming a formidable attacking trio against opposing defenses.
Senegal ranks second in offensive strength with 10 goals, being the only other team to reach double digits, while Mali has the fewest goals among the quarter-finalists, with only three goals in four matches.
Record Goals Approaching
The tournament has seen a total of 109 goals scored in 44 matches, averaging 2.48 goals per match, positioning it to potentially break the record of 119 goals set in the entire 2023 tournament (averaging 2.29 goals per match).
If 11 more goals are scored in the remaining eight knockout matches, which is expected, this record for the highest number of goals in the tournament’s history will be shattered.
Mali’s Winless Streak
Mali stands out for an exceptional reason: they have yet to secure a victory in the tournament, having reached the quarter-finals after four draws. Coach Tom Saintfiet humorously remarked after their penalty shootout win against Tunisia in the Round of 16 that his team might win the title without winning a single match.
Díaz and Zidane’s Son Shine
Ibrahim Díaz, a player for Real Madrid, has become the first Moroccan player to score in four consecutive matches in the Africa Cup of Nations, achieving this in his team’s victory over Tanzania in the Round of 16.
He is also the all-time top scorer for his national team in a single continental finals, now just two goals shy of Morocco’s all-time leading scorer, Ahmed Faras (six goals). The Moroccan team has not shown prolific scoring, with Díaz, alongside Ayoub El Kaabi, being the only sources of goals for the hosts, as they are the only two players to find the net after four matches.
Ademola Lookman’s Stellar Performance
Nigerian star Ademola Lookman has delivered an impressive performance, contributing to seven goals in four matches, scoring three himself and providing four assists, making him a strong contender for the Best Player award at this stage of the tournament.
Luca Zidane and the Clean Sheet
Algerian goalkeeper Luca Zidane has not conceded a goal for nearly five hours of play in the Africa Cup of Nations across three matches.
The only goal conceded by Algeria came in their 3-1 victory over Equatorial Guinea in their last group match, when Zidane was substituted after the Algerians secured top spot in the group.
The Africa Cup of Nations is a prestigious football tournament held every two years, showcasing the best national teams from across the continent. This year’s edition in Morocco has attracted significant attention, with teams like Nigeria and Senegal demonstrating their prowess. Historically, the tournament has been a platform for emerging talents and established stars alike, contributing to the rich legacy of African football.
