FMIG AFCON 2021 Fact file

The 33rd Edition of the TotalEnergies African Cup of Nations commences on Sunday and as part of FMiG’s coverage of Africa’s biggest showpiece, this piece focuses on the facts surrounding the 2021 African Cup of Nations.

Most Appearances; Egypt (25)

Of the 24 teams that will be featuring at the 2021 TotalEnergies African Cup of Nations, the Pharaohs are the side with the most appearances at this year’s tournament.

Egypt have been a consistent fixture in the AFCON and it’s no surprise they’re the record winners of the tournament.

They will be looking to add one more trophy to their enviable collection of 6 AFCON trophies at the 2021 TotalEnergies African Cup of Nations.

Debutants: Comoros & Gambia

Sheer joy, ecstasy, and immense delight best describe the scenes when Comoros and Gambia secured qualification slots to their maiden African Cup of Nations.

A total of 44 teams have qualified for the AFCON finals, with Gambia and Comoros making their debuts in the Cameroon 2021 edition.

The two sides would go into the tournament as minnows but neither will care about that as it presents them the perfect opportunity to experience the excitement of the tournament in full glare without any burden of expectations.

Comoros have been drawn in Group C alongside Ghana, Morocco & Gabon whilst the Gambia are in the same group with reigning champions Algeria, Mauritania, and Mali.

Oldest Coach; Vahid Halilhodžić

Bosnian Gaffer, Vahid Halilhodžić is the oldest Coach at this year’s African Cup of Nations.

The experienced tactician will be featuring at his third AFCON after his previous spells with Ivory Coast in 2010 and Algeria in 2013.

Vahid’s best finish at the AFCON is quarter-final finish with Ivory Coast in 2010 where his Ivorian team were eliminated by Algeria.

Morocco will be hoping Vahid’s leadership yields success as they will be looking to better their outing at this year’s AFCON following an early exit at the previous edition.

Youngest Player: Ibrahim Sesay (17 years 2 months 20 days)

Sierra Leone’s Ibrahim Sesay will be the youngest player at this year’s African Cup of Nations.

The Bo Rangers shot-stopper made his national team debut in an international friendly against the Gambia in October.

Since then, the 17-year old has been included in the Leone stars squad for the African Cup of Nations and will be hoping to make his Nations cup debut when the tournament starts.

Oldest Player: Marco Soares (37 years 6 months 22 days)

Cape Verde’s captain Marco Soares will be the tournament’s oldest player.

The veteran midfielder was a member of Cape-Verde’s squad that made their AFCON debut in 2013 and was also part of the team that reappeared at the competition in 2015.

Cape Verde are making a return to the continent’s major football fiesta for the first time in six (6) years and Marco Soares’ presence in the heart of midfield will be key to their run in the tournament.

Player with Most AFCON Appearances; Andre Ayew (7)

Ghana Captain Andre Ayew will be making a record-equalling 7th AFCON appearance at this year’s TotalEnergies African Cup of Nations.

Ayew will join Asamoah Gyan as the two Ghanaians with the most appearances at Africa’s major showpiece when he takes to the field in Cameroon.

Ayew’s bow at this year’s tournament also makes him the tournament’s most experienced player.

Most experienced Referees: Janny Sikazwe & Bakary Papa Gassama

Of the 24 center referees for this year’s African Cup of Nations, Gambian Referee Bakary Papa Gassama and Zambian Referee Janny Sikazwe are the two most experienced referees going into the tournament.

The duo have previously officiated at five AFCONs and will be making their 6th AFCON appearance at the 2021 TotalEnergies African Cup of Nations.

Amongst the duo, Papa Gassama is the most experienced referee when it comes to the AFCON having overseen 14 matches across 5 editions whilst Janny Sikazwe has officiated in 10 matches across 5 editions.

Papa Gassama was once won the CAF referee of the year in the year 2015.