Key stats 2023 AFCON: Top three dirtiest players from Nigeria; Onyeka top tackler and interceptor

[iworo]

Key stats 2023 AFCON: Top three dirtiest players from Nigeria; Onyeka top tackler and interceptor



Statistics have shown that the Super Eagles played negative football at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations despite narrowly missing out on the trophy following a 2-1 loss to hosts Ivory Coast in Sunday's showpiece, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

The top three players with the most fouls committed over the course of the tournament are from Nigeria including two forwards, with Ademola Lookman leading the way with 21 fouls in seven matches.

Reigning African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen (20) made the second most fouls in the tournament and in third place is Brentford star Frank Onyeka (18).

Hardworking midfielder Onyeka was the top tackler with fourteen tackles registered, more than any other player in the tournament, while Calvin Bassey ranked second with thirteen tackles.

Versatile wing-back Ola Aina was sixth in that department with the Nottingham Forest defender registering ten tackles.

Onyeka showed his ability to read the game by making ten interceptions - the top player on display in that category.

When it came to minutes played, West Brom centre-back Semi Ajayi totaled 660 minutes across seven matches and ranked seventh behind Obite N'd#$% (Côte d'Ivoire), Yahia Fofana (Côte d'Ivoire), Ronwen Williams (South Africa), Aubrey Modiba (South Africa), Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) and Sphephelo Sithole (South Africa).

Ajayi ranked ninth for interceptions (7) while Victor Osimhen was the stat leader for shots (24), one of which he converted for his first goal at the Africa Cup of Nations in a 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea.

Lookman won the second most fouls (17) and was the fourth top crosser having registered 30.

Only Golden Glove winner Ronwen Williams (20) made more saves than Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali (19).

https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_n ... ?nid=50465

[Tobi17]

Onyeka was my revelation of this tournament, I want to see what an Onyeka and Ndidi anchorship will look like.

[Damunk]

Key stats 2023 AFCON: Top three dirtiest players from Nigeria; Onyeka top tackler and interceptor



Statistics have shown that the Super Eagles played negative football at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations despite narrowly missing out on the trophy following a 2-1 loss to hosts Ivory Coast in Sunday's showpiece, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

The top three players with the most fouls committed over the course of the tournament are from Nigeria including two forwards, with Ademola Lookman leading the way with 21 fouls in seven matches.

Reigning African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen (20) made the second most fouls in the tournament and in third place is Brentford star Frank Onyeka (18).

Hardworking midfielder Onyeka was the top tackler with fourteen tackles registered, more than any other player in the tournament, while Calvin Bassey ranked second with thirteen tackles.

Versatile wing-back Ola Aina was sixth in that department with the Nottingham Forest defender registering ten tackles.

Onyeka showed his ability to read the game by making ten interceptions - the top player on display in that category.

When it came to minutes played, West Brom centre-back Semi Ajayi totaled 660 minutes across seven matches and ranked seventh behind Obite N'd#$% (Côte d'Ivoire), Yahia Fofana (Côte d'Ivoire), Ronwen Williams (South Africa), Aubrey Modiba (South Africa), Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) and Sphephelo Sithole (South Africa).

Ajayi ranked ninth for interceptions (7) while Victor Osimhen was the stat leader for shots (24), one of which he converted for his first goal at the Africa Cup of Nations in a 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea.

Lookman won the second most fouls (17) and was the fourth top crosser having registered 30.

Only Golden Glove winner Ronwen Williams (20) made more saves than Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali (19).

https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_n ... ?nid=50465

Its great to read that the stats are now available.
I’m very interested in our pass completion rates.
I suspect they will exonerate Iwobi and show up a few like Ajayi and Zaidu…

I think they got their stats from here.

[Lolly]

Osimhen had 24 shots/headers and only one goal. Maybe another 3 on target. So our defensive play actually created many chances but we failed to convert them.

Not surprised Onyeka was up there on number of tackles. The guy was all over the place breaking down attacks with tackles and interceptions. One of the reasons some people picked on Iwobi was because it looked like Onyeka was doing the job of two people.

[onovo]

Onyeka was my revelation of this tournament, I want to see what an Onyeka and Ndidi anchorship will look like.

What we need is ball playing midfielders that have ability to give killer passes, carry ball forward, and score with long range shot. Tacklers and ball interceptor midfielders alone does not do our attack any good. Onyeka and to some extent Ndidi are just too limited in skill set that is required to provide the needed support for our attack.

[airwolex]

We were not dirty. Not one bad challenge made. No red cards or suspensions.

[Lolly]

We were not dirty. Not one bad challenge made. No red cards or suspensions.

Onyeka was close on some occasions.

[Enugu II]

Osimhen had 24 shots/headers and only one goal. Maybe another 3 on target. So our defensive play actually created many chances but we failed to convert them.

Not surprised Onyeka was up there on number of tackles. The guy was all over the place breaking down attacks with tackles and interceptions. One of the reasons some people picked on Iwobi was because it looked like Onyeka was doing the job of two people.

Lolly,

In my view, this is an important stat. I believe that we created more clear chances than the opponent in all our games except the championship. The chances may be close in the South African game and only because South Africa's chances probably came late when they were chasing a goal to tie. Otherwise, I thought Nigeria was pretty comfortable in controlling its games.

[Scipio Africanus]

Onyeka was my revelation of this tournament, I want to see what an Onyeka and Ndidi anchorship will look like.

What we need is ball playing midfielders that have ability to give killer passes, carry ball forward, and score with long range shot. Tacklers and ball interceptor midfielders alone does not do our attack any good. Onyeka and to some extent Ndidi are just too limited in skill set that is required to provide the needed support for our attack.

You can say that again!

[iworo]

Onyeka was my revelation of this tournament, I want to see what an Onyeka and Ndidi anchorship will look like.

What we need is ball playing midfielders that have ability to give killer passes, carry ball forward, and score with long range shot. Tacklers and ball interceptor midfielders alone does not do our attack any good. Onyeka and to some extent Ndidi are just too limited in skill set that is required to provide the needed support for our attack.

I totally agree with you. Well said!

[ANC]

I am sorry. He and Yusuf didnt do it for me.
I hope Ndidi comes back stronger.
Now if you can get another player like Etebo.

[Enugu II]

I am sorry. He and Yusuf didnt do it for me.
I hope Ndidi comes back stronger.
Now if you can get another player like Etebo.

ANC,

I hope you are referring to Ndidi of 3-4 years ago and not the version that most recently played for the SE. There is a DIFFERENCE.

[naijaguy]

Onyeka was my revelation of this tournament, I want to see what an Onyeka and Ndidi anchorship will look like.

We've seen their partnership before. It's nothing to write home about.
But then it will be a very solid one if we maintain the 3-4-3 or 3-5-2.

[Cellular]

Onyeka was my revelation of this tournament, I want to see what an Onyeka and Ndidi anchorship will look like.

What we need is ball playing midfielders that have ability to give killer passes, carry ball forward, and score with long range shot. Tacklers and ball interceptor midfielders alone does not do our attack any good. Onyeka and to some extent Ndidi are just too limited in skill set that is required to provide the needed support for our attack.

I might be in the minority but I don't agree.

We actually need more ball-winners. And more bite in our midfield. We can't have just one player (Onyeka) doing it. If you paid attention to the Semi-final and the final game, that deficiency was evident.

Our team strategy should be to press with midfielders that can mark.

Get the ball and give it to our strikers.

3-5-1-1 we are currently playing will require better tackling and ball-intercepting midfielders.



BTW, have you watched Ndidi lately? He now ventures forward a lot more.

[ANC]

I am sorry. He and Yusuf didnt do it for me.
I hope Ndidi comes back stronger.
Now if you can get another player like Etebo.

ANC,

I hope you are referring to Ndidi of 3-4 years ago and not the version that most recently played for the SE. There is a DIFFERENCE.

I am. Oh well.

[sabb]

Onyeka was my revelation of this tournament, I want to see what an Onyeka and Ndidi anchorship will look like.

What we need is ball playing midfielders that have ability to give killer passes, carry ball forward, and score with long range shot. Tacklers and ball interceptor midfielders alone does not do our attack any good. Onyeka and to some extent Ndidi are just too limited in skill set that is required to provide the needed support for our attack.

I might be in the minority but I don't agree.

We actually need more ball-winners. And more bite in our midfield. We can't have just one player (Onyeka) doing it. If you paid attention to the Semi-final and the final game, that deficiency was evident.

Our team strategy should be to press with midfielders that can mark.

Get the ball and give it to our strikers.

3-5-1-1 we are currently playing will require better tackling and ball-intercepting midfielders.



BTW, have you watched Ndidi lately? He now ventures forward a lot more.

We can add another midfielder so it makes 3 and if they are interchangeable then the better.
Having tackler and interceptors who can't pass really didn't help the SE in this tourney especially in the final.
We could not hold the ball at all for more than 3 seconds, all the SE did was intercept and balloon the ball mostly

[Tobi17]

Onyeka was my revelation of this tournament, I want to see what an Onyeka and Ndidi anchorship will look like.

What we need is ball playing midfielders that have ability to give killer passes, carry ball forward, and score with long range shot. Tacklers and ball interceptor midfielders alone does not do our attack any good. Onyeka and to some extent Ndidi are just too limited in skill set that is required to provide the needed support for our attack.

I totally agree with you. Well said!

We already have 2-3 proven ball winners (very important in a team that presses) in Ndidi, Onyeka and maybe Onyedika.

Creative ball distributors in Iwobi and potentially Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Eletu/Daga, hopefully the likes of Eze etc