Nigeria’s Super Eagles wrapped up the Africa Cup of Nations group stage in emphatic fashion, topping their group with maximum points and emerging as the tournament’s most potent attacking side.
Group stage statistics underline Nigeria’s dominance going forward.
The Super Eagles scored eight goals—the highest tally at this stage of the competition—from 21 attempts, with 10 shots on target.
They also led all teams in ball control, averaging an impressive 66 percent possession.
According to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the numbers reflect a team that blended attacking volume with efficiency, consistently dominating territory and converting sustained pressure into goals.
Across the tournament, 87 goals were recorded in 36 group matches, producing an average of 2.42 goals per game.
The figure highlights the positive, attack-minded approach adopted by teams from the opening fixtures to the conclusion of the group phase last Wednesday night.
Individually, Morocco’s Ayoub El Kaabi and Brahim Díaz, alongside Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez, topped the scoring chart after the group stage, each finishing with three goals.
The assist rankings further emphasized the importance of teamwork and fluid attacking movement, with several teams unlocking defences through combination play rather than individual brilliance.
From the spot, Tunisia earned the most penalties with two, while Algeria, DR Congo, Egypt, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan and Tanzania each received one.
The competitive edge of the tournament was evident in the discipline figures, as referees issued 126 yellow cards and six red cards, reflecting the physical intensity as teams battled for qualification.
With the group stage now concluded, attention turns to the knockout rounds, where the Super Eagles will face Mozambique’s Mambas on Monday in Fes, Morocco.
Kick-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Nigeria time, as Nigeria look to build on their impressive form and push deeper into the tournament.
Reporting by Kelechi Bernard