AFCON 2023: Osimhen, Lookman, and the 3 Players With the Most Fouls at the Showpiece in Ivory Coast

• The 2023 Africa Cup Nations concluded with a thrilling victory for Ivory Coast
• A host of players indeed left their mark for their respective countries on the field
• Sports Brief highlights the three dirtiest players from the recently concluded showpiece

The climax of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) was nothing short of spectacular, featuring a riveting showdown between the host nation, Ivory Coast, and the formidable Super Eagles of Nigeria.

In a match laced with a flurry of pulsating moments and intense goal-mouth actions, the tide turned in the second half as the tournament hosts mounted a surprise resurgence, led by midfielder, Franck Kessie, and forward, Sebastien Haller. Their goals, which cancelled out William Troost-Ekong's opener for the Super Eagles, ultimately sealed the fate of the final.

However, the electrifying display of African football witnessed in the final only scratched the surface of what had been an enthralling Cup of Nations, widely hailed as one of the best organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

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From the tournament's onset, fans were captivated, with standout moments aplenty. One particularly thrilling highlight was the emergence of Inter City fullback, Emilio Nsue, as the competition's top scorer—an unexpected feat given the abundance of attacking talent on display.

Moreover, the tournament showcased top-tier defensive prowess, notably exemplified by the finalist Nigeria's Super Eagles. Managed by Jose Peseiro, the Nigerian team demonstrated remarkable resilience, boasting a defensive record of over 500 minutes without conceding—a testament to their meticulously crafted defensive strategy.

As the fervour of the AFCON lingers in the air, Sports Brief delves into the top three players who committed the most fouls throughout the tournament.

Players with the most fouls at the AFCON

Ademola Lookman

The 26-year-old topped the list of players who committed the most fouls at the AFCON. The Atalanta forward participated in all of Nigeria's games in the competition, accumulating a total of 21 fouls throughout his playing time.

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Data from Fotmob reveals that the former Everton forward averaged 3.5 fouls per 90 minutes.

Victor Osimhen

The reigning African Footballer of the Year also ranks amongst the players who committed the most fouls at the AFCON. Despite the Napoli forward playing closer to the opposition's goal, the seemingly conservative approach employed by coach Peseiro, meant Osimhen had to do a lot of defending, even beyond what many had anticipated.

The forward committed a total of 20 fouls at the showpiece, averaging 2.8 fouls per 90.

Frank Onyeka

The Brentford FC midfielder rounds off our list of players with the most fouls at the AFCON. His position at the base of Nigeria's midfield made him prone to making numerous tackles.

Throughout the seven games he played, Onyeka committed 18 fouls, just two fewer than Osimhen. According to data from Fotmob, the combative midfielder averaged 2.7 fouls per 90 minutes.

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Brentford welcomes Onyeka

Sports Brief in another report highlighted how the Premier League club, Brentford FC, welcomed midfielder, Onyeka, following his return from the AFCON.

The 26-year-old was greeted with an endless flurry of hearty cheers, including a jersey of the Nigerian national team.

A host of players, including new signing, Sergio Reguilon, were on hand to welcome him to the G-tech facility.