AFCON Hosting Countries History: A Complete Guide
The African Cup of Nations (AFCON), also known as the Africa Cup of Nations, is one of the most prestigious international football tournaments in Africa. The tournament has a rich history, with the first edition being held in 1957 in Sudan. Since then, the tournament has been hosted by various countries across Africa, with each country leaving its mark on the tournament’s history.
Early Years (1957-1978)
1957: Sudan hosted the first-ever AFCON, with Egypt emerging as the champions.
- 1959: The second edition was hosted by Egypt, where Egypt won the title again.
- 1962: Ghana hosted the third edition, with Egypt claiming the title for the third time.
1963: Ghana hosted the tournament again, but this time, Ethiopia won the title.
- 1965: Tunisia hosted the tournament, with Ghana emerging as the champions.
- 1968: Ethiopia hosted the tournament, with Ghana winning the title again.
- 1970: Sudan hosted the tournament, with Sudan emerging as the champions.
- 1972: Congo-Brazzaville hosted the tournament, with Congo-Brazzaville winning the title.
- 1974: Egypt hosted the tournament, with Zaire (now DR Congo) winning the title.
- 1976: Ethiopia hosted the tournament, with Morocco winning the title.
- 1978: Ghana hosted the tournament, with Ghana emerging as the champions.
Middle Years (1980-1998)
- 1980: Nigeria hosted the tournament, with Nigeria winning the title.
- 1982: Libya hosted the tournament, with Ghana winning the title.
- 1984: Ivory Coast hosted the tournament, with Cameroon winning the title.
- 1986: Egypt hosted the tournament, with Egypt winning the title.
- 1988: Morocco hosted the tournament, with Cameroon winning the title.
- 1990: Algeria hosted the tournament, with Algeria winning the title.
- 1992: Senegal hosted the tournament, with Ivory Coast winning the title.
- 1994: Tunisia hosted the tournament, with Nigeria winning the title.
- 1996: South Africa hosted the tournament, with Egypt winning the title.
- 1998: Burkina Faso hosted the tournament, with Egypt winning the title.
Modern Era (2000-2020)
- 2000: Ghana and Nigeria co-hosted the tournament, with Cameroon winning the title.
- 2002: Mali hosted the tournament, with Cameroon winning the title.
- 2004: Tunisia hosted the tournament, with Tunisia winning the title.
- 2006: Egypt hosted the tournament, with Egypt winning the title.
- 2008: Ghana hosted the tournament, with Egypt winning the title.
- 2010: Angola hosted the tournament, with Egypt winning the title.
- 2012: Equatorial Guinea and Gabon co-hosted the tournament, with Zambia winning the title.
- 2013: South Africa hosted the tournament, with Nigeria winning the title.
- 2015: Equatorial Guinea hosted the tournament, with Ivory Coast winning the title.
- 2017: Gabon hosted the tournament, with Cameroon winning the title.
- 2019: Egypt hosted the tournament, with Algeria winning the title.
- 2021: Cameroon hosted the tournament, with Senegal winning the title.
The AFCON hosting countries history is a rich and diverse one, with each country leaving its mark on the tournament’s history. From the early years in Sudan to the modern era in Egypt, the tournament has grown in popularity and prestige, with the best African football teams competing for the title.
