For over 20 years, MultiChoice has consistently broadcasted games from the AFCON, CAF Champions League and local tournaments of interest. However, the possibility of failing to screen the much anticipated TotalEnergies 2023 African Cup of Nations loomed after New World TV secured the rights to broadcast the games.
When rumours began to spread that MultiChoice would not broadcast AFCON 2023, customers took to social media to vent their frustrations at the prospect of missing out on the biggest continental tournament. For many, watching the tournament on either their DStv or GOtv decoders had become a right. But as the days trickled to the opening game of the tournament, MultiChoice announced that it would be screening all the 52 games on DStv and GOtv, much to the delight of customers.
This edition of the AFCON saw new records emerge. With 119 goals scored in 52 games, it became the highest-scoring edition of the tournament at an average of 2.29 goals scored per match, surpassing the 100 goals scored in the 2021 edition. Opta Analyst also reports that the tournament witnessed an increase in the rate of successful passes with an average 600 successful passes completed pegged at 81.2%.
Also, minnows like Mauritania and Namibia recorded their first ever victory in the tournament. Mauritania defeated 2019 winner, Algeria 1-0 in Group D to advance to the Round of 16 for the first time, while Namibian defeated 2004 winners, Tunisia 1-0 victory in Group E to book a place in the knockout stage. Cape Verde also made history by defeating Mauritania 1-0 to advance to the quarter-finals for the first time.
For the Nigerian Super Eagles, AFCON 2023 was an opportunity for redemption, both individually and as a group. The team had gone four games winless prior to their first match against Equatorial Guinea and the jury was starting to question Jose Peseiro’s credentials as the man to lead the team to glory. However, the Eagles rose to the occasion by making history at various points in the tournament.
When Troost Ekong converted his penalty in the team’s 0-1 victory over Cote D’Ivoire, he ensured their first away win against the Elephants. Ekong would proceed to set a new record in the tournament by surpassing Stephen Keshi as the highest-scoring defender in AFCON history with five goals. He was duly recognised and rewarded as the Player of the Tournament.
After conceding against Equatorial Guinea in the opening game, the Super Eagles did not concede until Teboho Mokoena’s penalty drew level for South Africa in the 90th minute at the semi-finals. This was the first time the Nigerians would win four consecutive matches without conceding at the AFCON. Goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali made history in the process, equaling Best Ogedegbe’s 44-year record of four consecutive clean sheets for the Super Eagle.
Ademola Lookman also joined an exclusive list of Nigerian players to score three goals in the knockout stages namely Rasheed Yekini, Jay Jay Okocha and Odion Ighalo. Also, Nigeria matched Egypt as the team with the second-highest semi-final appearance with 16 each. The Super Eagles would go further to become the most decorated team in the tournament when they clinched runner-up medals. They have emerged winners on three occasions, runner-up on five occasions and third place on eight occasions.
There is no gainsaying that football is a unifying sport in Nigeria with widespread acceptance. MultiChoice defied initial challenges by rising to the occasion and ensuring Nigerians were able to watch all 52 games from the record-breaking AFCON tournament. A big kudos to the broadcasting giant.
