AFCON 2019 – 2025 Group Stage Targets Surge – Softfootball

For the reason that Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) expanded from 16 to 24 groups in 2019, the event’s group levels have constantly delivered extra objectives, pleasure, and attacking soccer.

Softfootball gathered, the enlargement allowed extra nations to take part, rising match selection and giving rising groups the boldness to play extra offensively reasonably than defensively. Consequently, purpose numbers have steadily risen throughout editions.

Within the 2019 AFCON hosted by Egypt, the primary with 24 groups, 68 objectives have been scored in the course of the group stage. Algeria went on to win the event, whereas Senegal completed as runners-up, with Odion Ighalo rising as high scorer.

The 2021 version in Cameroon additionally recorded 68 group-stage objectives, displaying stability in attacking output. Senegal claimed their first AFCON title, Egypt have been runners-up, and Vincent Aboubakar completed as high scorer.

A serious leap got here within the 2023 AFCON (performed in early 2024) hosted by Côte d’Ivoire, the place 89 objectives have been scored within the group stage. The hosts lifted the trophy after defeating Nigeria, and Emilio Nsue completed because the event’s high scorer.

In AFCON 2025, the group stage has already produced 87 objectives, simply two in need of the 2023 document. Groups resembling Nigeria, Mali, Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, and others confirmed sturdy attacking intent, underlining how African soccer continues to evolve tactically.

AFCON Group Stage Targets Since 24-Group Enlargement

With AFCON 2025 nonetheless progressing into the knockout levels, the excessive variety of group-stage objectives additional confirms that African groups have gotten extra expressive, assured, and attack-minded on the continental stage.