AFCON History: Complete List of Winners (1957–Present)
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) stands as the most prestigious international football tournament on the continent. First staged in 1957, it has grown from a modest three-team event into Africa’s premier football spectacle, drawing global attention every two years.
Organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), AFCON has been held 34 times, producing 14 different champions and showcasing the rise of African football on the world stage.
How AFCON began
The inaugural AFCON tournament featured just Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan. Egypt emerged as the first champions, defeating Ethiopia 4–0 in the final and laying the foundation for what would become Africa’s most celebrated football competition.
In its early years, AFCON was held at irregular intervals before becoming a biennial tournament in 1968. That same year also marked the first major expansion, with the competition growing to eight teams, increasing both its scale and competitiveness.
AFCON’s evolution mirrored the growth of football across Africa:
- 1968: Expanded to 8 teams
- 1992: Increased to 12 teams
- 1996: Expanded again to 16 teams
- 2019 onward: Adopted a 24-team format, which remains in place today
To avoid clashes with the FIFA World Cup, CAF moved the tournament to odd-numbered years in 2013, a decision that reshaped international football scheduling in Africa.
Icons of the Tournament
AFCON has produced and celebrated some of football’s greatest names, including Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o, Sadio Mané, and Mohamed Salah.
- Samuel Eto’o remains AFCON’s all-time top scorer with 18 goals
- Laurent Pokou follows with 14 goals
These legends helped elevate AFCON into a competition respected far beyond the continent.
Most Successful Nations
No country has dominated AFCON like Egypt, who hold the record with seven titles, including an unmatched three consecutive wins from 2006 to 2010. Cameroon rank second with five titles, while Ghana, Nigeria, and Ivory Coast remain consistent continental powers.
Related Article: Haller and Kessie lead Ivory Coast to magical home AFCON title over Nigeria
Most recently, Ivory Coast lifted the AFCON 2023 trophy (played in 2024), defeating Nigeria 2–1 in the final to claim their third championship on home soil.
AFCON Winners by Country (1957–Present)
| COUNTRY | TITLES | WINNING YEARS |
| Egypt | 7 | 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010 |
| Cameroon | 5 | 1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, 2017 |
| Ghana | 4 | 1963, 1965, 1978, 1982 |
| Ivory Coast | 3 | 1992, 2015, 2023 |
| Nigeria | 3 | 1980, 1994, 2013 |
| Algeria | 2 | 1990, 2019 |
| DR Congo | 2 | 1968, 1974 |
| Morocco | 1 | 1976 |
| Sudan | 1 | 1970 |
| Congo | 1 | 1972 |
| Tunisia | 1 | 2004 |
| South Africa | 1 | 1996 |
| Zambia | 1 | 2012 |
| Senegal | 1 | 2021 |
| Ethiopia | 1 | 1962 |
AFCON’s Enduring Legacy
From three teams in 1957 to a 24-nation tournament today, AFCON reflects the growth, diversity, and competitive depth of African football. Each edition adds new stories, heroes, and moments that shape the sport’s future on the continent.
With every tournament, AFCON continues to confirm its place as one of the most passionate and unpredictable international competitions in world football.
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Chris John