The Africa Cup of Nations, popularly known as AFCON, stands today as the continent’s premier football tournament. A true celebration of African talent, passion, and pride. But its journey began modestly in 1957 with just three nations: Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan.
Organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), AFCON was born out of a dream to bring together African nations through the beautiful game. The inaugural edition, held in Sudan, saw Egypt emerge as champions, defeating Ethiopia 4-0 in the final and writing the first chapter of a legacy that would span generations.
In its early years, AFCON was held sporadically, but by 1968, it had settled into a biennial rhythm, establishing itself as a regular fixture in Africa’s sporting calendar. That same year, the competition was expanded to include eight teams, significantly raising the stakes and the level of competition.
The 1970s marked a golden era for the tournament. Six different nations lifted the trophy between 1970 and 1980, with five of them like Zaire (now DR Congo) and Morocco claiming the continental title for the first time. This era highlighted the increasing depth and diversity of African football talent.
As CAF grew, so did AFCON. In 1992, the field expanded to 12 teams and again to 16 in 1996, allowing more countries to showcase their footballing prowess. The tournament took another leap in 2019, with the introduction of a 24-team format, which was maintained in the 2021 and 2023 editions, reflecting the growing competitiveness of African football.
To avoid calendar clashes with the FIFA World Cup, AFCON was shifted to odd-numbered years in 2013, ensuring it would remain a standalone spectacle for African fans.
AFCON has been graced by some of the world’s most celebrated footballers. Icons like Didier Drogba, Mohamed Salah, and Sadio Mane have all lit up the tournament. However, Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o remains the undisputed king of AFCON goalscoring with 18 goals, followed closely by Laurent Pokou of Ivory Coast with 14.
When it comes to sheer dominance, Egypt reign supreme with seven titles, including a historic treble between 2006 and 2010. They’ve also finished as runners-up three times and secured third place on three occasions. Cameroon, with five titles, follow closely, along with Nigeria, known for their consistent performances and three championship wins.
The most recent edition, AFCON 2023 (held in 2024), saw Ivory Coast claim their third title in a dramatic final against Nigeria, winning 2-1 and cementing their place among the tournament’s elite.
The AFCON winners over the years are as follows;
1957 – Egypt
1959 – Egypt
1962 – Ethiopia
1963 – Ghana
1965 – Ghana
1968 – DR Congo
1970 – Sudan
1972 – Congo
1974 – DR Congo
1976 – Morocco
1978 – Ghana
1980 – Nigeria
1982 – Ghana
1984– Cameroon
1986 – Egypt
1988 – Cameroon
1990 – Algeria
1992 – Ivory Coast
1994 – Nigeria
1996 – South Africa
1998 – Egypt
2000 – Cameroon
2002 – Cameroon
2004 – Tunisia
2006 – Egypt
2008 – Egypt
2010 – Egypt
2012 – Zambia
2013 – Nigeria
2015 – Ivory Coast
2017 – Cameroon
2019 – Algeria
2021 – Senegal
2023 – Ivory Coast
From a humble three-team beginning to a 24-nation spectacle watched across the globe, the Africa Cup of Nations has grown into a powerful symbol of African unity, pride, and excellence. With each edition, AFCON not only crowns the continent’s champions but also tells a story of resilience, talent, and a passion for football that burns deeply across Africa.
