the africa cup of nations the history of an underappreciated tournament

The Africa Cup of Nations: A History of an Underappreciated Tournament

The Africa Cup of Nations is one of the most prestigious football tournaments in Africa, but it often flies under the radar of international football fans. Established in 1957, the tournament has a rich history that spans over six decades, with a total of 34 teams competing for the coveted title.

Early Years (1957-1970)

The first edition of the Africa Cup of Nations was held in Sudan in 1957, with Egypt emerging as the first champions. The tournament was initially known as the African Cup of Nations and was contested by only three teams. However, it quickly gained popularity, and the number of participating teams increased to five by the 1960s.

• 1957: Egypt wins the inaugural tournament in Sudan

• 1960s: The tournament expands to five teams, with Ghana and Egypt emerging as dominant forces
• 1968: Ghana wins its first title, defeating Egypt in the final

The Golden Era (1970-1985)

The 1970s and 1980s are often referred to as the golden era of the Africa Cup of Nations. Ghana, Egypt, and Cameroon emerged as the top teams, with Ghana winning the title three times during this period. The tournament also saw the rise of legendary players such as Abedi Pele and George Weah.

• 1970s: Ghana wins three consecutive titles, with Abedi Pele emerging as one of the tournament’s top scorers
• 1978: Cameroon wins its first title, defeating Ghana in the final
• 1984: Cameroon wins its second title, defeating Nigeria in the final

The Modern Era (1990-2010)

The 1990s and 2000s saw a significant increase in the tournament’s popularity, with the introduction of new teams and the emergence of new stars. Egypt, Cameroon, and Nigeria emerged as the top teams, with Egypt winning the title five times during this period. The tournament also saw the rise of legendary players such as Samuel Eto’o and Didier Drogba.

• 1990s: Egypt wins five consecutive titles, with Didier Drogba emerging as one of the tournament’s top scorers
• 2000s: Cameroon wins two titles, with Samuel Eto’o emerging as one of the tournament’s top scorers
• 2008: Egypt wins its 25th title, defeating Ghana in the final

Recent Years (2010-Present)

The 2010s saw a significant increase in the tournament’s popularity, with the introduction of new teams and the emergence of new stars. Cameroon, Ghana, and Ivory Coast emerged as the top teams, with Cameroon winning the title twice during this period. The tournament also saw the rise of legendary players such as Yaya Touré and Naby Keïta.

• 2010s: Cameroon wins two titles, with Yaya Touré emerging as one of the tournament’s top scorers
• 2015: Ivory Coast wins its first title, defeating Ghana in the final
• 2019: Algeria wins its second title, defeating Senegal in the final

The Africa Cup of Nations has a rich history that spans over six decades, with a total of 34 teams competing for the coveted title. While it often flies under the radar of international football fans, the tournament has produced some of the greatest footballers of all time and continues to be a major force in African football.