AFCON Hosting Countries History: A Complete Guide
Introduction
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is the premier international football tournament in Africa, featuring national teams from the continent. The competition has a rich history, with the first edition taking place in 1957 in Sudan. Over the years, the tournament has been hosted by various African countries, each leaving an indelible mark on the history of the competition.
Early Years (1957-1974)
The first AFCON was held in Sudan in 1957, with Egypt emerging as the champions. The tournament was initially held every two years, with the host country being chosen based on a rotation system. In the early years, the tournament was dominated by Egypt, who won the competition five times in a row from 1957 to 1970.
1957: Sudan
- 1959: Egypt
- 1962: Ethiopia
- 1963: Ghana
- 1965: Tunisia
- 1968: Ethiopia
- 1970: Sudan
- 1972: Sudan
- 1974: Egypt
Middle Years (1976-1996)
In the 1970s and 1980s, the AFCON continued to grow in popularity, with new countries emerging as hosts. In 1976, Ghana hosted the tournament for the second time, while in 1978, Ghanaian football legend, Charles Gyamfi, led the Black Stars to their second AFCON title. In the 1980s, the tournament was hosted by several countries, including Nigeria, who won the competition in 1980.
- 1976: Ghana
- 1978: Ghana
- 1980: Nigeria
- 1982: Libya
- 1984: Egypt
- 1986: Egypt
- 1988: Morocco
- 1990: Algeria
- 1992: Senegal
- 1994: Tunisia
- 1996: South Africa
Modern Era (1998-Present)
In the modern era, the AFCON has continued to grow in popularity, with new countries emerging as hosts. In 1998, Burkina Faso hosted the tournament for the first time, while in 2000, Cameroon hosted the competition for the fifth time. In 2006, Egypt hosted the tournament for the seventh time, while in 2010, Angola hosted the competition for the first time.
- 1998: Burkina Faso
- 2000: Cameroon
- 2002: Mali
- 2004: Tunisia
- 2006: Egypt
- 2008: Ghana
- 2010: Angola
- 2012: Equatorial Guinea and Gabon
- 2013: South Africa
- 2015: Guinea
- 2017: Gabon
- 2019: Egypt
- 2021: Cameroon
Conclusion
The AFCON has a rich history, with the tournament being hosted by various African countries over the years. From the early years in Sudan and Egypt to the modern era in countries like South Africa and Cameroon, the AFCON has grown in popularity and become a major international football tournament. As the competition continues to grow, it will be exciting to see which countries will emerge as hosts in the future.
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