The African Cup of Nations has ended with the indomitable lions crowned the deserved champions beating the The Pharoahs of Egypt 2-1 in a lively final played at the Stade Libreville in Gabon.
Most teams cried foul of the status of the pitch with specific mention of Port Gentil. At one time Ghanian coach Avram Grant was up in arms with the status of the pitches claiming they caused injuries to his players .
A comprehensive medical coverage plan was developed by CAF and with reports showing few injuries compared to the previous edition.The usual doping control procedure per each match was also done
A Pre Competititon Medical Assesment (PCMA) of all the teams that featured were recored in the Competititons Management System (CMS).
In the CMS the records shows the average weight of the players for the AFCON was 79kgs compared to 77kg of 2015 with the heaviest from Mali(81.64)
The team with the tallest players were Mali(184.26),Algeria(184.04) and Tunisia(184) with Uganda and Guinea Bissau having the shortest at 176.11cm and 176 cms respectively
In terms of injuries , both head and arms injuries were 9 in total with leg injuries taking 80% of the total injuries .Of the 65 injuries, 47 (72%) were due to contacts and 11 of them were sanctioned by the referees
THE REPORT IN SUMMARY
1. Medical
The Pre Competition Medical Assessment (PCMA) of the 16 qualified teams were recorded on the CAF Competitions Management System (CMS).
– The average age of players at the Total AFCON Gabon 2017 was 25.2 years old compared to AFCON 2015, 26 years old and 24 years for the CHAN 2016.
– The oldest team was Togo, with an average age of 27 and the youngest, Cameroon and Uganda with an average age of 24.
– The average height of players at the AFCON 2017 was 180.63 cm compared to AFCON 2015 (181 cm) and 177cm for the CHAN 2016.
– The team with the tallest players were Mali, Algeria and Tunisia with 184.26cm, 184.04cm and 184cm respectively, whilst the shortest were Uganda: 176.11cm and Guinea Bissau 176cm.
– The average weight of players for AFCON 2017 was 78 kg compared to the 77kg of AFCON 2015 and 73kg AFCON 2015 (77 kg), CHAN 2016 (73 kg)
– During this AFCON, the heaviest was from Mali with 81.64 kg and the lightest was Uganda 74.83 kg
2. Injury statistics
During the first 30 games of AFCON 2017, the following were recorded;
– In total 65 injuries, which makes an average of 2.2 per match; 1.4 per hour of play
– AFCON 2015: In total 89 injuries. 3 per match; 1.9 per hour of play
– CHAN 2016: In total 110 injuries. 3.4 per match; 2.2 per hour of play
– Women’s AFCON 2016: In total 93 injuries. 5.8 per match; 3.8 per hour of play
Timing of injuries
– AFCON 2017: 65 injuries consisting of 26 injuries during the first half (40%) and 39 in the second half (60%)
– AFCON 2015: First Half: 50%; Second Half: 50%
– CHAN 2016: First Half: 54.5%; Second Half: 45.5%
– Women’s AFCON 2016: First Half: 52.7%; Second Half: 47.3%
Cause of injuries
– Of the 65 injuries, 47 (72%) were due to contacts and 11 of them were sanctioned by the referees
Location of Injuries
Head: 9 Injuries
Arms: 9 Injuries
Legs: 47 injuries: 80%
What we noticed during the Total AFCON Gabon 2017 is the degree of severity of the injuries based on the number days of absence;
– AFCON 2017: In total, 439 days will be required for the 65 injuries of which 22 (more than 34%) of the injuries required more than 3 days of absence per injury.
– AFCON 2015: 162 days
– CHAN 2016: 328 days
– Women’s AFCON: 180 days
3. Anti-doping
120 anti-doping control tests were carried out in accordance with the CAF Anti-Doping Rules.
