Chukwu Ikechukwu
updated on February 13, 2024 at 11:54 am
- The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has come to an end with Ivory Coast claiming the trophy
- The 34th edition of the tournament has claimed to be the best of the statistics
- Multiple records were broken during the four weeks of continental competition
Ivory Coast were crowned winners of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after the hosts defeated Nigeria 2-1 in the final on February 11 in front of more than 55,000 fans at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.
Borussia Dortmund striker Sebastien Haller was the hero for the Elephants as he scored the winner in the final 10 minutes of the game to complete a comeback victory for the hosts.
Source: Getty Images
According Notjustokthe Ivorians became the first country to host and win an AFCON competition for the first time in 18 years since Egypt achieved the feat in 2006.
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It is also their first AFCON trophy since their last triumph in 2015, with Nigeria failing to add to their three titles in their tenure following successes in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
With the release now complete, Sports short takes a look at the five most impressive records broken at the 34th edition of the tournament hosted by Ivory Coast.
5 amazing records set at AFCON 2023
1. Most goals scored
The 2023 edition is the third to score more than 100 goals and set the record for most goals with 119. Emilio Nsue Lopez of Equatorial Guinea won the Golden Boot with five goals.
2. Most scoring defender in AFCON
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has officially become the highest scoring defender in AFCON history with five goals after scoring in the final against Ivory Coast.
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![AFCON 2023 quarter-finals: South Africa, Ivory Coast, Nigeria among the teams in the last 8 of the Africa Cup of Nations](https://images.sportsbrief.com/images/320x180/b46aacab5ddda21f.webp?v=1)
![AFCON 2023 quarter-finals: South Africa, Ivory Coast, Nigeria among the teams in the last 8 of the Africa Cup of Nations](https://images.sportsbrief.com/images/320x180/b46aacab5ddda21f.webp?v=1)
The Nigerian defender scored throughout the AFCON and surpassed the previous record held by former Nigeria defender and coach Stephen Kessey who had four goals.
3. Highest appearance in an AFCON tournament
Tunisia’s Youssef Msakni and Ghana’s Andre Ayew have tied the record for most appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations, with this being their eighth appearance, along with Cameroon’s Rigobert Song and Egypt’s Ahmed Hassan.
4. Penalty heroics by Ronwen Williams
Cape Verde (and many others) will remember South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams for his stunning saves in the quarter-final match. The Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper became the first African Cup of Nations goalkeeper and in recognized FIFA history to save four penalties in one run.
Williams also won the tournament’s golden gloves beating Nigeria shot-stopper Stanley Nwabali.
5. Most medals in AFCON history
After finishing second, Nigeria extended its record as the nation with the most medals (gold, bronze and silver). The Super Eagles now have 16 medals in total, with Egypt (13 medals) and Ghana (10 medals) second and third respectively.
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Ivory Coast are bidding for a third AFCON title
Earlier, Sports short reported that Haller was the hero after scoring the winner as Ivory Coast came from a goal down to beat Nigeria in the AFCON 2023 final.
The Super Eagles took the lead before half-time through Troost-Ekong, but Franck Kessie equalized after the interval before the result went beyond Nigeria.