The AFCON Winners List: A Chronological History and Future of the African Cup of Nations
The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) is the premier international football tournament in Africa, contested by the national teams of the member countries of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The tournament was first held in 1957, and since then, it has grown in popularity and prestige, with the number of participating teams increasing over the years.
Early Years (1957-1970)
1957: Egypt won the first AFCON tournament, defeating Ethiopia 4-0 in the final.
1959: The Republic of the Congo won the second AFCON, defeating Egypt 4-2 in the final.
- 1962: Ethiopia won the third AFCON, defeating Egypt 4-2 in the final.
- 1963: Ghana won the fourth AFCON, defeating Sudan 3-0 in the final.
- 1965: Ghana won the fifth AFCON, defeating Tunisia 3-2 in the final.
- 1968: Ghana won the sixth AFCON, defeating Egypt 1-0 in the final.
- 1970: Sudan won the seventh AFCON, defeating Ghana 1-0 in the final.
Middle Years (1972-1990)
- 1972: Congo-Brazzaville won the eighth AFCON, defeating Mali 3-2 in the final.
- 1974: Zaire won the ninth AFCON, defeating Zaire 2-0 in the final.
- 1976: Morocco won the tenth AFCON, defeating Guinea 1-1 (4-2 in penalties).
- 1978: Ghana won the eleventh AFCON, defeating Uganda 2-0 in the final.
- 1980: Nigeria won the twelfth AFCON, defeating Algeria 3-0 in the final.
- 1982: Ghana won the thirteenth AFCON, defeating Libya 1-1 (7-6 in penalties).
- 1984: Cameroon won the fourteenth AFCON, defeating Nigeria 3-1 in the final.
- 1986: Egypt won the fifteenth AFCON, defeating Ivory Coast 5-4 in penalties.
- 1988: Cameroon won the sixteenth AFCON, defeating Nigeria 1-0 in the final.
- 1990: Algeria won the seventeenth AFCON, defeating Nigeria 1-0 in the final.
Modern Era (1992-2020)
- 1992: Ivory Coast won the eighteenth AFCON, defeating Ghana 11-10 in penalties.
- 1994: Nigeria won the nineteenth AFCON, defeating Zambia 2-1 in the final.
- 1996: South Africa won the twentieth AFCON, defeating Tunisia 2-0 in the final.
- 1998: Egypt won the twenty-first AFCON, defeating South Africa 2-0 in the final.
- 2000: Cameroon won the twenty-second AFCON, defeating Nigeria 4-3 in penalties.
- 2002: Cameroon won the twenty-third AFCON, defeating Senegal 3-0 in the final.
- 2004: Tunisia won the twenty-fourth AFCON, defeating Morocco 2-1 in the final.
- 2006: Egypt won the twenty-fifth AFCON, defeating Ivory Coast 4-2 in penalties.
- 2008: Egypt won the twenty-sixth AFCON, defeating Cameroon 1-0 in the final.
- 2010: Egypt won the twenty-seventh AFCON, defeating Ghana 1-0 in the final.
- 2012: Zambia won the twenty-eighth AFCON, defeating Ivory Coast 8-7 in penalties.
- 2013: Nigeria won the twenty-ninth AFCON, defeating Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final.
- 2015: Ivory Coast won the thirtieth AFCON, defeating Ghana 9-8 in penalties.
- 2017: Cameroon won the thirty-first AFCON, defeating Egypt 2-1 in the final.
- 2019: Algeria won the thirty-second AFCON, defeating Senegal 1-0 in the final.
- 2021: Senegal won the thirty-third AFCON, defeating Egypt 4-2 in penalties.
Future of AFCON
The future of the AFCON tournament looks bright, with CAF announcing plans to expand the tournament to 24 teams in 2023. This will provide more opportunities for African nations to compete and improve their football skills. Additionally, the tournament will be hosted in various countries across Africa, promoting the growth of football in different regions.
Conclusion
The AFCON winners list is a testament to the rich history and diversity of football in Africa. From the early years to the modern era, the tournament has seen many talented teams and players emerge, showcasing their skills on the biggest stage. As the tournament continues to grow and evolve, we can expect to see even more exciting matches and memorable moments in the years to come.
