Dive into the rich history of African football with the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a tournament that has evolved from humble beginnings to a grand spectacle.
Since its establishment in 1957, AFCON has grown exponentially, showcasing the prowess of 24 nations in the main draw and involving 52 teams in the qualifiers.
In this blog post, Sportonpoint will provide you with the full list of African Cup of Nations winners, exploring the legends and the dynamic journey that has defined this premier international men’s football competition on the African continent.
Championing this continental spectacle are Egypt, inaugural winners with seven titles, and Cameroon, boasting five victories.
Senegal captured their first-ever trophy in 2021, after defeating Egypt in the penalty, while Ivory Coast are the current champion having won the 2023 edition.
Administered by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), AFCON has witnessed dynamic growth from random intervals to a biennial competition since 1968.
The tournament expanded to eight teams in 1968, spurring heightened competition, and later accommodated 12 teams in 1992 and 16 in 1996. The 2019, 2021, and 2023 editions embraced 24 participating teams.
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Notably, the tournament shifted to odd years in 2013 to avoid conflicting with the FIFA World Cup in even years.
Throughout its history, AFCON has showcased football legends like Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), Sadio Mane(Senegal), Mohamed Salah (Egypt), Victor Osimhen(Nigeria) and Achraf Hakimi (Morocco).
Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o, an Olympic gold medallist, leads the AFCON goalscoring charts with 18 goals, followed by Ivory Coast’s Laurent Pokou with 14.
Egypt’s dominance in list of African Cup of Nations winners is evident with seven titles, including a hat-trick from 2006 to 2010. They secured runner-up positions thrice and claimed third place on three occasions.
Cameroon, with five titles, follows closely in AFCON success, coupled with three additional podium finishes. Senegal, triumphant in the 2021 edition, adds a new chapter to their football history after defeating Egypt in a penalty shootout.
Senegal, who held the title from the previous tournament, got knocked out in the round of 16 by the home team, Ivory Coast.
Ivory Coast continued to win the tournament, beating Nigeria 2–1 in the final match played in their own country, earning them their third championship title.
List of Africa Cup of Nations Winners
AFCON Champions and Runners-up
Year | Winners | Runners-up |
---|---|---|
1957 | Egypt | Ethiopia |
1959 | Egypt | Sudan |
1962 | Ethiopia | Egypt |
1963 | Ghana | Sudan |
1965 | Ghana | Tunisia |
1968 | DR Congo | Ghana |
1970 | Sudan | Ghana |
1972 | Congo | Mali |
1974 | DR Congo | Zambia |
1976 | Morocco | Guinea |
1978 | Ghana | Uganda |
1980 | Nigeria | Algeria |
1982 | Ghana | Libya |
1984 | Cameroon | Nigeria |
1986 | Egypt | Cameroon |
1988 | Cameroon | Nigeria |
1990 | Algeria | Nigeria |
1992 | Ivory Coast | Ghana |
1994 | Nigeria | Zambia |
1996 | South Africa | Tunisia |
1998 | Egypt | South Africa |
2000 | Cameroon | Nigeria |
2002 | Cameroon | Senegal |
2004 | Tunisia | Morocco |
2006 | Egypt | Cameroon |
2008 | Egypt | Cameroon |
2010 | Egypt | Ghana |
2012 | Zambia | Ivory Coast |
2013 | Nigeria | Burkina Faso |
2015 | Ivory Coast | Ghana |
2017 | Cameroon | Egypt |
2019 | Algeria | Senegal |
2021 | Senegal | Egypt |
2023 | Ivory Coast | Nigeria |
Source: Olympics.com
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the list of African Cup of Nations winners illustrates the passion, skill, and competitive spirit that define African football. From the historic victories of Egypt to Cameroon’s consistent success and Senegal’s recent triumph, each edition of AFCON adds a new chapter to the continent’s football legacy. As we eagerly await future editions, let’s celebrate the diverse talent, unforgettable moments, and the continued growth of this extraordinary tournament.
FAQs:
Q1: How many teams initially participated in the first AFCON in 1957?
Ans: Three teams, namely Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan, competed in the inaugural edition, with Egypt emerging as the first AFCON winners.
Q2: When did AFCON transition from random intervals to a biennial competition?
Ans: AFCON became a biennial competition in 1968.
Q3: Who is the highest goalscorer in AFCON history?
Ans: Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o holds the record with 18 goals.
Q4: Why did AFCON shift to odd years in 2013?
Ans: The tournament moved to odd years to avoid scheduling conflicts with the FIFA World Cup, which takes place in even years.
Q5: Which team has the most AFCON titles?
Ans: Egypt boasts the most AFCON titles, having won the tournament seven times.
Q6: Who are some notable football legends featured in AFCON?
Ans: Legends like Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), Sadio Mane (Senegal), Mohamed Salah (Egypt), Victor Osimhen(Nigeria) and Achraf Hakimi (Morocco) have showcased their skills in AFCON.
Q7: How has the number of participating teams in AFCON changed over the years?
Ans: The tournament expanded from three teams in 1957 to 24 teams in the 2019 and 2021 editions.