The Super Eagles of Nigeria are about to hit a historical milestone at AFCON 2023 as they hit 100 AFCON games when they take on Guinea Bissau in their last group game.
Nigeria – the three-time African champions must beat the Djurtus to finish top of Group A if things go their way in the Ivory Coast vs Equatorial Guinea match.
Nigeria has a rich history in Africa, especially AFCON, where they rank behind Egypt, Cameroon and Ghana as the teams to have won the tournament the most.
Not many countries have reached 100 AFCON games, and the Super Eagles of Nigeria are about to join that elite league on Monday.
In this piece, we give you the countries that have reached 100 AFCON games and those who follow behind.
Milestone goal awaits Super Eagles in their 100th AFCON match https://t.co/8nkpIk84QF
— Kunle Solaja (@SolajaKunle) January 21, 2024
Nigeria’s 100 AFCON games and other milestones
The Super Eagles have come a long way in African and world football. Monday will be memorable for the African giants as they hit 100 AFCON games.
It would be nice for the Super Eagles to celebrate the milestone with a win and top Group A and perhaps advance as leaders.
Nigeria played its first AFCON game in 1963 against Egypt. They finished bottom of the group after losing 6-3 to the Pharaohs and 4-0 to Sudan.
Their first milestone was in the 10-game mark in a 1-1 draw with Ghana in 1978. Their 25th game did not come until 1984 in the semi-finals against Egypt. Nigeria drew the game 2-2, with Stephen Keshi and Ali Bala scoring. The Green Eagles won 8-7 on penalties.
En route to their 100 AFCON games, Nigeria beat Senegal in their 50th game in AFCON 2000, co-hosted by Nigeria and Ghana.
AFCON 2023: Super Eagles hit milestone against Guinea-Bissau
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will play their 100th game at the Africa Cup of Nations when they take on Guinea-Bissau at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Monday. #AFCON2023 #AFCON pic.twitter.com/RTZpb3giyB
— Nelson Akange (@nelsonakange) January 21, 2024
The Super Eagles came from behind in that quarter-final tie after Khalilou Fadiga had given the Lions of Teranga the lead in the seventh minute. Julius Aghahowa scored a brace to see Nigeria through to the semi-finals.
The Super Eagles have won two of their major milestones, and their fans would expect nothing less in the encounter against Guinea-Bissau.
The Super Eagles are also in line to score their 140th AFCON goal. They presently have 139 goals.
Other countries with 100 AFCON games
The Pharaohs of Egypt were the first country to hit 100 AFCON games. They achieved the feat in 2019. They have played 109 games, with their 110th coming against Cape Verde on Monday.
Ghana and Ivory Coast are the other countries to have also reached 100 AFCON games. Ghana achieved the feat in 2021, while Ivory Coast reached the mark in the ongoing tournament. The Elephants beat Guinea Bissau to attain 100 AFCON games.
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Top 10 teams with the most AFCON matches |
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| # | Countries | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| 1 | EGYPT | 109 | 60 | 22 | 27 | 172 | 94 |
| 2 | GHANA | 104 | 54 | 21 | 28 | 136 | 91 |
| 3 | IVORY COAST | 101 | 45 | 29 | 27 | 146 | 104 |
| 4 | NIGERIA | 99 | 54 | 23 | 22 | 139 | 92 |
| 5 | CAMEROON | 93 | 45 | 31 | 17 | 139 | 86 |
| 6 | TUNISIA | 82 | 25 | 30 | 27 | 100 | 96 |
| 7 | ALGERIA | 79 | 28 | 24 | 27 | 97 | 92 |
| 8 | MOROCCO | 71 | 28 | 24 | 19 | 85 | 63 |
| 9 | SENEGAL | 69 | 29 | 17 | 23 | 84 | 57 |
| 10 | ZAMBIA | 67 | 27 | 18 | 22 | 82 | 67 |
This article was most recently revised and updated 12 months ago
