Apart from the R64m at stake for the ultimate champions, Daniel Mothowagae has noticed some other interesting numbers in CAF’s first 24-team competition, which is being played in Egypt.
0 wins or points
Only three teams – Namibia, Tanzania and Burundi – exited the tournament without a win and a point. Debutants Burundi also failed to score in their three group matches.
Benin were the only team that reached the knockout stage without a victory. Nevertheless, their three draws during the group phase were enough to send them to the Last 16 as one of the best third-placed sides.
1 goal
The goal margin it took to knock out hosts Egypt, as well as title favourites Morocco. The two had not conceded a goal in the first round before they were defeated by the identical scorelines of 1-0 by South Africa and Benin.
3 chops
The number of coaches who were sacked immediately after their teams were eliminated from Afcon. They were Javier Aguirre (Egypt), Emmanuel Amunike (Tanzania) and Sebastien Desabre (Uganda).
5 in a match
The most goals produced in a single match: Nigeria 3-2 Cameroon; Namibia 1-4 Ivory Coast; Mali 4-1 Mauritania; Kenya 3-2 Tanzania. These all happened in the group stage.
11 coaches
Nearly half of the 24 coaches in charge at Afcon were Africa-born coaches, and six out of the 11 reached the knockout stage.
Those who advanced were Aliou Cisse (Senegal), Kwesi Appiah (Ghana), Ibrahim Kamara (Ivory Coast), Florent Ibenge (Democratic Republic of Congo), Djamal Belmadi (Algeria) and Mohamed Magassouba (Mali).
68 goals
The total number of goals scored from the 36 matches in the round-robin phase – an average of 1.9 goals per match.
75 000 supporters
Before their elimination by South Africa in the Last 16, Egypt matches at Cairo International Stadium attracted the biggest crowds at Afcon.
45 million cash
The first prize for the Afcon champions in US dollars, which is about R64 million.