AFCON 2023: Super Eagles Star, Onyeka Named Best Tackler

Super Eagles midfielder, Frank Onyeka, has been named the best tackler at the just-concluded 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Onyeka was instrumental in Nigeria’s run to the final of the competition which they lost 2-1 to the hosts Ivory Coast.

The 26-year-old fought off competition from Raphael Onyedika to take the defensive midfield slot after the absence of Wilfred Ndidi through injury.

He featured in all the team’s seven matches, playing 608 minutes of football out of a possible 660 minutes, he was nicknamed ‘The Tank’ following his energetic performances for Nigeria in the middle of the park.

CAF has now confirmed that Frank Onyeka made a total of 14 tackles and made 11 interceptions in the competition, the highest in both categories at the tournament.

Another Super Eagles star, Calvin Bassey came second behind Onyeka with 13 tackles to emerge the second best tackler in the competition.

DR Congo’s Gédéon Kalulu came third in the ranking with 12 tackles, while South Africa’s Aubrey Modiba, and Ivory Coast’s Ghislain Konan, who have 11 tackles each, were the joint 4th best tacklers at the 2023 AFCON.

Onyeka made his Super Eagles debut in October 2020 in a 1-0 defeat to Algeria. He scored his first goal for the team in Nigeria’s 3-2 over Mozambique in October 2023.