CAF Ranks Best Defensive Teams As AFCON 2023 Reaches Semi Final

• CAF has ranked the best defensive teams in the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations
• Nigeria, DR Congo, Ivory Coast, and South Africa are the semi-finalists in the competition
• The semi-final games are scheduled to take place today, February 7, in Bouake & Abidjan

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has dished out some statistics at the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations held in Ivory Coast.

The tournament is in the semi-final stage, with four teams vying for a place in the final this weekend.

Nigeria, DR Congo, Ivory Coast, and South Africa are the four teams left in the competition, and one of the major reasons they are still competing is their defensive qualities.

Best defensive teams in AFCON 2023

Ahead of the semi-final games, as gathered by Sports Brief, CAF ranked the defensive teams in the tournament.

Senegal A+, Nigeria B, Grading AFCON Campaign of All Round of 16 Teams

Football

1. Nigeria

Nigeria has been the team that conceded the fewest goals in the tournament so far. Jose Poseiro's side conceded just one goal so far, which came in their 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea in the first group game.

The Super Eagles have kept four straight clean sheets and reduced the time opponents spent in their box due to their solid defensive set-up.

2. South Africa

Bafana Bafana are also among the best defensive teams in the competition. They conceded two goals in their opening game against Mali and have since then kept four consecutive clean sheets.

Ronwen Williams also pulled a stellar performance in their quarter-final clash against Cape Verde, saving four penalties during the shoot-out.

3. Ivory Coast

The host nation started the tournament badly, losing two group games but eventually qualifying for the knock-out stages as one of the best third-placed teams.

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Football

Since Emerse Fae took over as caretaker manager, the Elephants have been solid in defence but failed to keep a clean sheet in their two games.

4. DR Congo

The Leopards share the same struggle with the Elephants as they've conceded in all their games in the competition thus far except their final group game against Tanzania.

Ranking coaches' chances of winning AFCON 2023

Sports Brief earlier ranked the chances of the remaining coaches in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations winning the trophy this weekend.

The semi-final will be kicking off on Wednesday with Nigeria's Super Eagles facing South Africa's Bafana Bafana, while DR Congo's Leopards will face Ivory Coast's Elephants.