Nigeria Super Eagles emerge the most wasteful team at AFCON 2023

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been statistically ranked as the most profligate team in front of goal at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON 2023. 

Pulse Sports reports that a post from the statistical outfit, WhoScored, shows that Nigeria has squandered more clear-cut opportunities than any other team in the competition. 

The Super Eagles returned to winning ways after a shaky start against Equatorial Guinea in the 34th AFCON hosted by Cote d’Ivoire.

Nigeria defeated Ivory Coast 1-0 to seal a first win, but had to rely on a William Troost-Ekong penalty to see off the Elephants despite having better chances to score in the game.

Now, it has emerged that Jose Peseiro’s men have been guilty of wasting their chances at the AFCON 2023, led by SSC Napoli superstar and main man, Victor Osimhen.

Per WhoScored, the Super Eagles are the most profligate having missed seven big chances, three times more than any other team in the tournament.

“Nigeria have missed at least 3 more big chances (7) than any other team at AFCON2023,” the data guru posted on the social media platform, X.com.

The likes of Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Paul Onuachu have spurned several gilt-edged chances, with a lack of ruthlessness from the Eagles seemingly looking to damp the team’s AFCON changes.

A breakdown of the chances shows that Osimhen led the way with three, two of which he missed in Nigeria’s opener against Equatorial Guinea. 

Left-back, Zaidu Sanusi, is next with two chances while Onuachu, who featured for the first time against Cote d’Ivoire, and Lookman have missed one each.

Despite having no issues creating openings and progressing from their group, Nigeria's glaring wastefulness has emerged as a point of concern.

To contend for the prestigious continental title, the Super Eagles will need to improve their efficiency in the final third if they are to realise the goal of winning a fourth AFCON title.