From the initial low scoring affairs to the nail-biting final which ended with #TeamSenegal’s victory over #TeamEgypt in a tense penalty shootout, football fans turned to Twitter to follow all the latest and most exciting news around the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2021 tournament. Through a data pool of Tweets, hashtags and handles, Twitter has highlighted the key moments that drove the public conversation during AFCON.
The most used 2022 AFCON hashtags
Despite an early exit from the tournament, #TeamGhana was still a major conversation driver globally, and among the top hashtags used during the tournament. #AFCON2021 was the most used hashtag worldwide, and finalists #TeamSenegal and #TeamEgypt as well as hosts #TeamCameroon were also among the top 10 hashtags. Globally, the 5 most used hashtags were:
#AFCON2021
#CAN2021
#TotalEnergiesAFCON2021
#TeamNigeria
#TeamGhana
The most mentioned handles
The most mentioned handles during the tournament consisted of a mix of national teams, official pages, international players and trusted pages dedicated to punditry and commentary. The official Confederation of African Football (CAF) handle received a ton of engagement, coming in second place on the list of top handles, with the Nigerian national team leading the pack in first place.
Top AFCON Tweets
The most successful AFCON Tweets consisted of a mix of tense moments on the pitch, support from fans and other footballers, hilarious commentary etc. The top Retweeted post came from French play Kylian Mbappe hailing Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi as “the best right-back in the world”. Below are some of the most engaging and hilarious Tweets from AFCON.
Top emojis, media and other stats of note
When it comes to using Emojis, the top 10 list reveals a range of emotions only football can elicit from people on Twitter. From laughter to tears, clapping, trophies and sheer alarm, Emojis played an important role in expressing the emotions amid often heated and joyful conversations. The top Emojis used were:
😂 😭 👏🏾 🔥 🔴 🆚 🏆 🦅 😍 🚨
Twitter has also revealed that many AFCON Tweets included media. Pictures and videos where often used to tell and amplify inspirational AFCON stories; such as a video posted by sports journalist and Twitter Spaces host of #AFCONwithJuliet Juliet Bawuah, telling the story of Salima Mukansanga following her historic appearance as a referee at #AFCON2021.
Latest Stories
-
LPG marketers warn of shortage of gas, increase in prices by next week
10 mins -
The team existed before you were born – Okraku tells Kudus, and others in Black Stars
47 mins -
AFCON 2025Q: Even Niger players cannot make my club – Kurt Okraku tells Black Stars
1 hour -
AFCON 2025Q: Kurt Okraku goes beserk on Black Stars players ahead of Sudan clash
2 hours -
Ghana-Naija food festival lights up Accra with culinary delights, music and culture
2 hours -
CPP flagbearer blames NPP and NDC for Ghana’s economic struggles
2 hours -
Today’s front pages: Wednesday, October 9, 2024
2 hours -
PwDs in Bono Region hopeful in NPP’s ‘public recruitment policy’
3 hours -
Assin South roads to see massive transformation under DRIP – Ntim Fordjour
3 hours -
Galamsey: PUWU-TUC backs organised labour in nationwide strike
3 hours -
Galamsey: GAWU directs members to join Organised Labour strike on Thursday
3 hours -
Ghana Armed Forces collaborate with small-scale miners to fight galamsey
3 hours -
Driver flees scene after fatal hit and run on Kanda Highway
3 hours -
Former Liverpool boss Klopp takes Red Bull role
3 hours -
AFCON 2025Q: Abu Francis and Jonas Adjei Adjetey join Black Stars camp
3 hours