Five Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals facts
There have been 55 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals from 1957 when Egypt defeated hosts Sudan 2-1 in the first and AFP Sport highlights five facts:
Quickest goal
Nigeria winger Tijani Babangida (L) scored the quickest goal in an Africa Cup of Nations semi-final. (AFP/PIUS UTOMI EKPEI) (PIUS UTOMI EKPEI)
Nigeria winger Tijani Babangida scored the quickest goal just one minute into a 2-0 triumph over South Africa in Lagos 22 years ago. Babangida, then with Ajax Amsterdam, was the star of the show as he also netted the second goal for the co-hosts.
Latest goal
Another former Ajax forward, South African Benni McCarthy, claimed the latest goal, 22 minutes into extra time in a 1998 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo in Ouagadougou. McCarthy now coaches 2021-2022 CAF Champions League title contenders AmaZulu.
There have been 55 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-finals since 1957 when Egypt defeated hosts Sudan in the very first ever played. Photo: Backpagepix
First goal
Raafat Attia scored the first goal, putting Egypt ahead against Sudan on 21 minutes in Khartoum 65 years ago. His clubs included future African giants Zamalek, named after a Cairo suburb, and later coached in Saudi Arabia.
First hat-trick
Zambia sharpshooter Bernard ‘Bomber’ Chanda scored the only hat-trick in 1974 against Congo Brazzaville in Cairo. Known as the KK XI in honour of then President Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia triumphed 4-2 after extra time.
Goals so far
The 55 matches have produced 161 goals at an average of 2.9 per semi-final. The most common scores have been 1-0 and 2-1 with 12 each, there have twice been seven goals while 4-0 was the widest winning margin and achieved three times.
