The Greatest Moments in AFCON History: A Complete Guide
The African Cup of Nations (AFCON), also known as the Africa Cup of Nations, is the main international football tournament in Africa. It is held every two years, and it brings together the best national teams from the continent to compete for the coveted title. In this article, we will take a journey through the greatest moments in AFCON history, from the first tournament in 1957 to the present day.
Early Years (1957-1970)
The first AFCON tournament was held in 1957 in Sudan, and it was won by Egypt. The tournament was a huge success, and it paved the way for future editions. In the early years, the tournament was dominated by Egypt, who won the title five times between 1957 and 1970. Other teams like Sudan, Ethiopia, and Ghana also made their mark in this period.
1957: Egypt wins the first AFCON title, defeating Sudan 4-0 in the final.
- 1959: Sudan wins the tournament, defeating Egypt 4-0 in the final.
- 1962: Ethiopia wins the tournament, defeating Egypt 4-2 in the final.
- 1963: Ghana wins the tournament, defeating Sudan 3-0 in the final.
- 1968: Ghana wins the tournament, defeating Egypt 1-0 in the final.
The Golden Era (1970-1990)
The 1970s and 1980s are often referred to as the golden era of AFCON. During this period, teams like Ghana, Cameroon, and Ivory Coast emerged as major powers in African football. Ghana won the title three times during this period, while Cameroon won it twice.
- 1970: Ghana wins the tournament, defeating Sudan 3-0 in the final.
- 1972: Mali wins the tournament, defeating Ghana 3-2 in the final.
- 1976: Morocco wins the tournament, defeating Ghana 1-1 (4-2 in penalties) in the final.
- 1980: Ghana wins the tournament, defeating Nigeria 3-0 in the final.
- 1984: Cameroon wins the tournament, defeating Nigeria 3-1 in the final.
The Modern Era (1990-2010)
The 1990s and 2000s saw the emergence of new powers in African football. Teams like Nigeria, Cameroon, and Egypt dominated the tournament during this period. Nigeria won the title twice during this period, while Cameroon won it three times.
- 1990: Algeria wins the tournament, defeating Nigeria 1-0 in the final.
- 1992: Ivory Coast wins the tournament, defeating Ghana 9-3 in the final.
- 1996: South Africa wins the tournament, defeating Tunisia 2-0 in the final.
- 2000: Cameroon wins the tournament, defeating Nigeria 3-2 in the final.
- 2002: Cameroon wins the tournament, defeating Senegal 0-0 (3-2 in penalties) in the final.
The Recent Era (2010-Present)
The 2010s saw the emergence of new powers in African football. Teams like Egypt, Cameroon, and Senegal dominated the tournament during this period. Egypt won the title twice during this period, while Cameroon won it three times.
- 2010: Egypt wins the tournament, defeating Ghana 1-0 in the final.
- 2013: Nigeria wins the tournament, defeating Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final.
- 2015: Ivory Coast wins the tournament, defeating Ghana 9-8 in a penalty shootout after the match ended 0-0.
- 2017: Cameroon wins the tournament, defeating Egypt 2-1 in the final.
- 2019: Algeria wins the tournament, defeating Senegal 1-0 in the final.
And that’s a wrap on the greatest moments in AFCON history! From the first tournament in 1957 to the present day, the AFCON has been a platform for African teams to showcase their talent and compete for the coveted title. We hope you enjoyed this journey through the history of the AFCON, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for African football.
