A Tournament of Twists and Turns
Countdown to AFCON: A Look at Bafana's Journey
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations wrapped up on Sunday, with Ivory Coast clinching the title in a thrilling finale. Their comeback victory over Nigeria was emblematic of the tournament's unpredictable and exhilarating nature. The podium features host nation's gold, Nigeria with silver, while South Africa takes home the bronze after a hard-fought penalty shootout win against DR Congo. Let's delve into the numbers that defined Bafana Bafana's performances.
This tournament was a showstopper, marked by shock eliminations of the "big" teams, extraordinary performances from "small" teams, late goals, and stunning comebacks. Call it a rollercoaster ride, but AFCON 2023 delivered on its promises. With a record number of goals scored, this tournament will be fondly remembered, despite the increased number of games played. The tournament's high-scoring ratio is impressive, with an encouraging average of goals per game that surpasses the last seven editions.
119 - a new record for tournament goals at AFCON 20232.48 - goals per game at AFCON 2023, higher than any of the previous seven editions2008 - the last time AFCON had a higher goals-per-game ratio (3.1 gpg then)
Bafana's Impressive Journey
Entered as the 66th ranked team in the world and the 12th in Africa, Bafana Bafana stunned onlookers with their performance at this tournament. Initially given a 13% chance to reach the semi-finals and a mere 6% chance to reach the final, they managed to end the 24-team event as the third-best team, foiling their detractors. The fact that they narrowly missed out on the final due to a penalty shootout demonstrates their remarkable progress. Earning a medal after a 24-year absence is an impressive feat, especially when you consider that they failed to qualify in the last edition.
4 - medals for Bafana at AFCON (1 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronzes)24 - years since Bafana last finished AFCON with a medal7 - African nations with more medals at AFCON
Guarding the Goal
Ronwen Williams was awarded Goalkeeper of the Tournament, a well-deserved recognition for his phenomenal performance. During the third-place playoff, he saved two penalties to secure Bafana's victory, impressing once again. While his penalty saves have been widely praised, it's essential to note that Williams' performance goes beyond the penalty shootout. He has been the tournament's best goalkeeper, thanks in part to a porous Bafana defense that gave up numerous chances.
10.3 - xG conceded by Bafana at the tournament, the worst of all teams (NB: this number is inflated due to the increased number of games played)4.4 - goals prevented by Williams at AFCON (based on the quality of on-target shots he faced)
He departs as a hero, but not without claiming a few records for himself.
5 - clean sheets for Williams, a new record for a South African goalkeeper1 - goalkeeper in AFCON history to have ever kept more than five clean sheets (Alioum Boukar - six clean sheets for Cameroon in 2002)
The Powerhouse In The Backbone
While Williams will garner the headlines, he will be the first to acknowledge that this was a collective effort. Bafana was awarded the Fair Play Award, a symbol of the team's dedication and unity. Five different players scored goals for Bafana during this tournament, matching their record from 1996 (also 5). Some players stood out among the numbers:
33 - shots on target by Bafana at AFCON, the most among all teams12 - chances created by Teboho Mokoena (third-highest of all players at the tournament)9 - shots on target by Teboho Mokoena, the most for any player at the tournament0.4 - goals conceded per game for Bafana, the best record in the tournament10 - interceptions by Mothobi Mvala at AFCON (joint-first at the tournament)
690 - minutes played by Aubrey Modiba (no outfielder played 690 minutes, Ivory Coast's Obite N'dicka also 690)50 - ball recoveries for Modiba at the tournament, more than any other player
As we bid adieu to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, it leaves behind a legacy of thrilling performances, unforgettable moments, and a reminder that anything is possible in the world of football.
AFCON | African Cup of Nations | Bafana Bafana | Editor's Choice | Football | Ivory Coast | News | South Africa | Stats | Tims
An experienced CSA-accredited freelance cricket writer, Tims also provides cricket commentary for Guerilla Cricket SA and is the founder of the Full Quota Podcast.
- Despite initial low expectations, Bafana Bafana's impressive performance in football sports at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations resulted in them earning a bronze medal, their fourth in total, marking a 24-year absence from the podium.
- The Goalkeeper of the Tournament, Ronwen Williams, not only saved two penalties during the third-place playoff but also set a new South African record with five clean sheets, a feat only matched once before by another African goalkeeper, Alioum Boukar, at the 2002 edition of the African Cup of Nations.
- Teboho Mokoena's contributions to Bafana Bafana's sports-analysis during the tournament were significant, as he registered the most shots on target and chances created by any player, despite the porous defensive performance that inflated the xG conceded by the team.
