The Africa Cup of Nations, or AFCON, is the biggest football event in Africa. Every few years, top teams go head-to-head for the trophy. The AFCON winners list shows all the countries that have lifted the cup over time.
You can see who’s been dominating, who had surprise wins, and which nations have the most titles. It’s perfect for fans who want a quick look at Africa’s football history, past results, and all the champions that made the tournament exciting.
AFCON Past Winners
In 1957, Egypt kicked things off by winning the very first Africa Cup of Nations, beating Ethiopia and leaving Sudan in third place. Two years later in 1959, Egypt won again and beat Sudan in the final with Ethiopia third. In 1962, Ethiopia got their moment, beating Egypt while Sudan came third. The following year in 1963, Ghana lifted the trophy against Sudan with Egypt third.
Ghana stayed hot and won in 1965, beating Tunisia and pushing Congo Kinshasa into third. In 1968 Congo Kinshasa claimed their first title over Ghana with Senegal third. Sudan finally got a home joy in 1970, beating Ghana, and Ivory Coast grabbed third place. 1972 saw Congo Brazzaville top Mali while Cameroon was third. Zaire then took the 1974 crown over Zambia with Egypt third.
Morocco shocked many in 1976, winning against Guinea, and Nigeria finished third. Ghana returned to glory in 1978, beating Uganda with Tunisia third. Nigeria grabbed their first title in 1980 over Algeria and Egypt came third. In 1982 Ghana beat Libya while Cameroon got third. Cameroon lifted their first title in 1984 over Nigeria with Egypt third.
Egypt came back in 1986 to beat Cameroon and Algeria finished third. Cameroon struck again in 1988 against Nigeria with Egypt third. In 1990 Algeria won over Nigeria with Zambia third and two years later in 1992 Ivory Coast took the title against Ghana as Nigeria finished third.
The 1990s Expansion
Nigeria claimed the 1994 title over Zambia with Ghana third. South Africa won at home in 1996 against Tunisia and Egypt came third. Egypt grabbed it again in 1998, beating South Africa while Ghana was third. In 2000 Cameroon was too strong for Nigeria and DR Congo finished third.
Cameroon stayed on top in 2002 over Senegal with Nigeria third. Tunisia won in 2004 against Morocco with Mali third. Egypt dominated again in 2006 over Ivory Coast with Nigeria third. The same Egypt side won in 2008 against Cameroon with Ghana third, and they completed a rare hat‑trick in 2010 by beating Ghana with Algeria third.
Zambia shocked everyone in 2012, beating Ivory Coast with Ghana third. Nigeria took the title in 2013 against Burkina Faso with Côte d’Ivoire third. Ivory Coast got it back in 2015 over Ghana with Congo third. Cameroon won in 2017 against Egypt with Ghana third.
Algeria lifted the cup in 2019 over Senegal with Nigeria third. In 2021 Senegal beat Egypt while Burkina Faso took third. Ivory Coast won again in 2023 over Nigeria and Mali finished third. The most recent edition in 2025 saw Senegal beat hosts Morocco with Egypt in third place.
AFCON Winners List
| Year | Host | Winner | Runner‑Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Sudan | Egypt won the first one | Sudan came second |
| 1959 | Egypt | Egypt won again | Sudan was second |
| 1962 | Ethiopia | Ethiopia took the trophy | United Arab Republic (Egypt/Sudan) were runners‑up |
| 1963 | Ghana | Ghana got their first win | Sudan finished second |
| 1965 | Tunisia | Ghana won again | Tunisia came second |
| 1968 | Ethiopia | Congo-Kinshasa lifted the cup | Ghana were runners‑up |
| 1970 | Sudan | Sudan finally won | Ghana were second |
| 1972 | Cameroon | Congo-Brazzaville got the trophy | Mali came second |
| 1974 | Egypt | Zaire (Congo-Kinshasa) won | Zambia were runners‑up |
| 1976 | Ethiopia | Morocco won | Guinea came second |
| 1978 | Ghana | Ghana got the cup again | Uganda were second |
| 1980 | Nigeria | Nigeria won at home | Algeria came second |
| 1982 | Libya | Ghana won once more | Libya were runners‑up |
| 1984 | Ivory Coast | Cameroon lifted the trophy | Nigeria were second |
| 1986 | Egypt | Egypt won again | Cameroon came second |
| 1988 | Morocco | Cameroon got the cup | Nigeria were runners‑up |
| 1990 | Algeria | Algeria won | Nigeria came second |
| 1992 | Senegal | Ivory Coast lifted the trophy | Ghana were second |
| 1994 | Tunisia | Nigeria won | Zambia came second |
| 1996 | South Africa | South Africa won at home | Tunisia were runners‑up |
| 1998 | Burkina Faso | Egypt got the cup | South Africa came second |
| 2000 | Ghana/Nigeria | Cameroon won | Nigeria were runners‑up |
| 2002 | Mali | Cameroon lifted the trophy | Senegal were second |
| 2004 | Tunisia | Tunisia finally won | Morocco came second |
| 2006 | Egypt | Egypt won again | Ivory Coast were runners‑up |
| 2008 | Ghana | Egypt got the cup again | Ghana came second |
| 2010 | Angola | Egypt lifted the trophy | Ghana were runners‑up |
| 2012 | Gabon/Equatorial Guinea | Zambia won | Ivory Coast came second |
| 2013 | South Africa | Nigeria got the trophy | Burkina Faso were second |
| 2015 | Equatorial Guinea | Ivory Coast won | Ghana came second |
| 2017 | Gabon | Cameroon lifted the cup | Egypt were runners‑up |
| 2019 | Egypt | Algeria won | Senegal came second |
| 2021 | Cameroon | Senegal finally won | Egypt were runners‑up |
| 2023 | Ivory Coast | Senegal won again | Cameroon came second |
Most Successful Nations
Egypt is the clear king of AFCON with the most titles at seven. Cameroon follows with five. Ghana has four, and Nigeria and Ivory Coast have three each.
Hosts have won about eleven times, showing a boost when playing at home. Egypt holds the longest unbeaten run with 24 matches between 2004 and 2017.
Egypt has also appeared in the most finals overall.
AFCON Winning Coaches
Several managers stand out in AFCON history. Hassan Shehata of Egypt managed an incredible three‑peat in 2006, 2008 and 2010.
Charles Gyamfi from Ghana also won three titles and is one of the all‑time greats.
French coach Hervé Renard has the rare feat of winning AFCON with two different nations, leading Zambia in 2012 and Ivory Coast in 2015.
Former players turned managers, like Egypt’s Mahmoud El‑Gohary and Nigeria’s Stephen Keshi, also left big marks.
Top Scorers and Player Awards
Samuel Eto’o from Cameroon holds the all‑time AFCON goals record with 18. Ivory Coast star Laurent Pokou scored 14, including five goals in a single match in 1970. Nigeria’s Rashidi Yekini scored 13 goals in his AFCON career.
Recent individual awards include the 2025 Player of the Tournament Sadio Mané from Senegal, Golden Boot winner Brahim Díaz from Morocco with five goals, and Golden Glove winner Yassine Bounou, also from Morocco.
Over the decades, icons like Abedi Pelé, Rabah Madjer and Ismaël Bennacer have been recognised as best players in their respective tournaments.
Historic Final Matches
The 1957 final set the tone with Egypt beating Ethiopia 4 0.
In 2006, Egypt’s victory over Ivory Coast was decided on penalties.
One of the most recent memorable finals was the 2025 AFCON when Senegal beat Morocco 1 0 after extra time, in a match that saw controversy and a temporary on field protest following a penalty decision.
AFCON Host Nations’ Performance
Hosts often go far in AFCON. South Africa won on home soil in 1996, Senegal reached the final as hosts in 2025, and Egypt frequently reached the latter stages when playing at home.
Hosting tends to sharpen team performance and energise fans, contributing to strong runs.
Patterns and Trends in AFCON History
North and West African nations have dominated most decades. Egypt, Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria and Cameroon appear frequently as champions or finalists.
Underdog victories like Zambia’s 2012 title remind fans that surprises happen. The tournament has also seen more finals decided by penalties and dramatic comebacks in recent years.
Records and Milestones
Egypt’s unbeaten run of 24 matches is one of the highest in AFCON history.
The oldest player to feature was Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El‑Hadary at age 44.
Ayman Mansour scored one of the fastest goals in AFCON history in 1994 after just 23 seconds.
Hassan El‑Shazly scored multiple hat‑tricks across tournaments.
Many nations have won on their first participation, a testament to the depth of African football.
Interesting Facts
Egypt was the inaugural champion and remains the most successful nation in AFCON history.
Samuel Eto’o has scored more goals than any other player in the competition.
Laurent Pokou’s five‑goal match remains a standout record.
Zambia’s win in 2012 is often cited as one of the greatest underdog stories in football.
Over time, AFCON has helped shape African international football and unearthed world stars.