AFCON Through the Years: Records, legends and a complete history of past winners

As Morocco prepares to host the 35th Africa Cup of Nations in 2025, the tournament once again places African football’s rich history into focus. Few competitions in world football carry the depth, character and legacy of AFCON, a tournament shaped as much by its stories as by its silverware.

From its modest beginnings in 1957 on the dusty pitches of Khartoum to the modern, high-profile finals staged most recently in Ivory Coast, AFCON has grown into the continent’s premier sporting event. Across nearly seven decades, it has reflected Africa’s football evolution, producing dominant dynasties, iconic individuals and moments that remain deeply ingrained in the game’s folklore.

Egypt stand as the most successful nation in AFCON history. The Pharaohs have lifted the trophy a record seven times and hold several all-time tournament records, including most appearances, most matches played, most wins and most goals scored. Their golden era came between 2006 and 2010, when they became the only country to win the title three consecutive times, a feat yet to be matched.

Individual brilliance has also defined AFCON’s legacy. Cameroon great Samuel Eto’o remains the competition’s all-time top scorer with 18 goals, while DR Congo’s Ndaye Mulamba still holds the record for most goals in a single tournament, scoring nine in 1974. Ivory Coast legend Laurent Pokou produced one of the tournament’s most remarkable performances with five goals in a single match in 1970.

Longevity and leadership have also left their mark. Rigobert Song, Ahmed Hassan, Andre Ayew and Youssef Msakni share the record for most AFCON appearances, while Song and Ayew jointly top the chart for most matches played. Egypt’s Essam El Hadary became the oldest player in AFCON history when he featured in the 2017 final aged 44, while compatriot Hossam Hassan remains the oldest goalscorer.

On the touchline, Ghana’s Charles Gyamfi and Egypt’s Hassan Shehata are the most decorated coaches, each winning three titles. Shehata’s reign remains unique, having guided Egypt to three successive championships. Hervé Renard carved a special place in AFCON history by winning the tournament with two different nations, Zambia in 2012 and Ivory Coast in 2015.

AFCON’s roll of honour highlights the tournament’s continental reach and diversity. Below is the full list of past winners:

AFCON 1957 (Sudan): Egypt AFCON 1959 (United Arab Republic): United Arab Republic AFCON 1962 (Ethiopia): Ethiopia AFCON 1963 (Ghana): Ghana AFCON 1965 (Tunisia): Ghana AFCON 1968 (Ethiopia): DR Congo AFCON 1970 (Sudan): Sudan AFCON 1972 (Cameroon): Congo AFCON 1974 (Egypt): Zaire AFCON 1976 (Ethiopia): Morocco AFCON 1978 (Ghana): Ghana AFCON 1980 (Nigeria): Nigeria AFCON 1982 (Libya): Ghana AFCON 1984 (Ivory Coast): Cameroon AFCON 1986 (Egypt): Egypt AFCON 1988 (Morocco): Cameroon AFCON 1990 (Algeria): Algeria AFCON 1992 (Senegal): Ivory Coast AFCON 1994 (Tunisia): Nigeria AFCON 1996 (South Africa): South Africa AFCON 1998 (Burkina Faso): Egypt AFCON 2000 (Ghana & Nigeria): Cameroon AFCON 2002 (Mali): Cameroon AFCON 2004 (Tunisia): Tunisia AFCON 2006 (Egypt): Egypt AFCON 2008 (Ghana): Egypt AFCON 2010 (Angola): Egypt AFCON 2012 (Gabon & Equatorial Guinea): Zambia AFCON 2013 (South Africa): Nigeria AFCON 2015 (Equatorial Guinea): Ivory Coast AFCON 2017 (Gabon): Cameroon AFCON 2019 (Egypt): Algeria AFCON 2021 (Cameroon): Senegal AFCON 2023 (Ivory Coast): Ivory Coast

As the countdown continues to Morocco 2025, AFCON remains a celebration of African football’s past and present, a tournament where history carries as much weight as ambition.

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