Records that could still be broken at the 2023 AFCON

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The Ivory Coast-hosted African Cup of Nations (AFCON) has seen action on all sides in the opening two rounds. With each team eyeing tourney glory and their players coveting individual laurels on the side, it bodes to be an exciting outing for its entirety.

This event represents a chance for some players to enter the record books. Here are some records that could still be broken at this 34th edition.

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Most medals by a national team

Nigeria’s Super Eagles currently hold the record with their 15 accumulated over the years. Should they achieve at least a 3rd place spot, they would extend their already established lead. The Pharoahs of Egypt and Ghana’s black stars come in second and third spot with 13 and 10 won respectively.

Most final defeats

The Black Stars of Ghana have lost 5 AFCON finals thus far, a sixth defeat still looks questionable with their poor start to the tournament.

Most bronze medals

The Super Eagles have been victors in the 3rd place match on 8 occasions. Another in this edition would see them extend their lead in this metric.

Host nation triumph

Since Egypt’s 2006 triumph when they hosted the event, no host country has won the continental tournament.

Back-to-back tournament glory

Should gaffer Aliou Cisse mount a successful campaign for the Terenga Lions, he would become just the 3rd manager to achieve this feat in consecutive tournaments.

Tournament glory

Egypt have succeeded on this exalted stage more than any other team (7). They stand a chance to extend the record outrightly in this 34th edition.

Golden boot

Cameroon’s Vincent Aboubakar and Ghana’s André Ayew could join an elite group of players that have picked up the tournament Golden boot on more than one occasion. Aboubakar won it in 2021 while Ayew’s turn was far back in 2015.

Most tournaments scored in

Mathematically speaking, it might seem improbable for André Ayew to break the goalscoring record of Samuel Eto’o. However, should he find a goal amidst this Black Stars squad instability, he would be just the first player to score in 7 AFCON editions.

Most valuable player

Only one player has won this prestigious award on more than one occasion. 2019 winner Ismael Bennacer and Senegal talisman Sadio Mane (winner 2021) are both on duty this outing and presented with an opportunity to go one better.