In a commendable achievement, Frank Onyeka, the formidable midfielder of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, has earned the title of the best tackler in the recently concluded 2023 AFCON, as officially recognized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
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Affectionately nicknamed the “tank” for his remarkable performance throughout the tournament, Onyeka showcased his prowess by featuring in all seven games played by the Eagles. His impactful contributions were instrumental in Nigeria’s impressive journey from the group stage to the final.
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Despite the Super Eagles’ undefeated run in the group and knockout stages, they faced a setback in the final, succumbing to a 2-1 defeat against the hosts, Ivory Coast.
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In the aftermath of the 2023 AFCON, CAF revealed that Frank Onyeka made an astounding 14 tackles and 11 interceptions, securing the top spot for both categories in the tournament.
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The 26-year-old midfielder from Brentford achieved this remarkable feat after accumulating a total playing time of 608 minutes out of a possible 660 minutes. Notably, Onyeka’s compatriot, Calvin Bassey, closely followed as the second-highest tackler in the tournament with 13 tackles, showcasing a shift from his previously known soft playing style as a Fulham defender.
Gédéon Kalulu, the DR Congo and FC Lorient defender, secured the third spot with 12 tackles, while South Africa’s Aubrey Modiba and Ivory Coast’s Ghislain Konan jointly occupied the fourth position, each recording 11 tackles at the 2023 AFCON.