Best goal best game

Afcon 2022 took its time to get going, with few goals in the first round of group games and another lull in the early knockout matches, but we were rewarded with a fantastically climactic ending.

Sadio Mane’s one-night redemption arc gave Senegal their first major tournament win and made good on all the promise of their superstar generation.

Best goal

There is something particularly joyful about a spectacular consolation goal, a shot taken from distance because you have no other choice. Comoros’ late goal against Cameroon in the last-16 was the perfect example, Youssouf M’Changama’s free kick from 35 yards flying over Andre Onana and into the top left corner of the net. Having played for 89 minutes with an outfield player in goal, it was the least they deserved.

Best game

Ghana stunk the place out in their opening two matches, leaving them needing to win their final group game by two clear goals against a Comoros team who were making their tournament debut and had lost both of their opening two matches without scoring.

Best goal best game

The Comorians scored early and unthinkably extended that lead after the hour, but goals from Richmond Boakye and Alexander Djiku brought Ghana level.

Biggest surprise

Burkina Faso making the semi-finals was wonderful, but it’s hard to look past Gambia reaching the quarter-finals in their first ever Afcon. They took seven points from a group containing Mali and Tunisia, beat Guinea in the last-16 and were only eliminated by the hosts in Douala. It’s not unreasonable to suggest that this could be the start of a special era for Gambian football.

Biggest disappointment

Algeria were a little unfortunate to take only one point and score one goal at Afcon 2021. They had the highest average possession, the third most shots per game and faced fewer shots per game than finalists Egypt.