The CAF African Cup of Nations (AFCON) is the premier international men’s football tournament in Africa, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Since its inception in 1957, the tournament has evolved considerably—in format, scale, and prestige. It has become not just a sporting spectacle but a source of continental pride, a stage for rising stars, and occasionally a mirror of Africa’s social, political, and cultural currents.
Originally, only a handful of nations participated; by 2019 the finals expanded to 24 teams, and that format has generally been maintained. The scheduling has sometimes shifted—especially around exceptional events like the COVID-19 pandemic.
This article presents a full listing of AFCON winners and finalists through 2023, notes the status of the 2025 edition, and highlights key records and trends.
Winners and Runners-Up, 1957–2023
Below is a table of completed editions of AFCON through 2023, showing winners and runners-up.
| Year | Winner | Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Egypt | Ethiopia |
| 1959 | Egypt (as United Arab Republic) | Sudan |
| 1962 | Ethiopia | United Arab Republic (Egypt) |
| 1963 | Ghana | Sudan |
| 1965 | Ghana | Tunisia |
| 1968 | Congo (Kinshasa) | Ghana |
| 1970 | Sudan | Ghana |
| 1972 | Congo (Brazzaville) | Mali |
| 1974 | Zaire | Zambia |
| 1976 | Morocco | Guinea |
| 1978 | Ghana | Uganda |
| 1980 | Nigeria | Algeria |
| 1982 | Ghana | Libya |
| 1984 | Cameroon | Nigeria |
| 1986 | Egypt | Cameroon |
| 1988 | Cameroon | Nigeria |
| 1990 | Algeria | Nigeria |
| 1992 | Côte d’Ivoire | Ghana |
| 1994 | Nigeria | Zambia |
| 1996 | South Africa | Tunisia |
| 1998 | Egypt | South Africa |
| 2000 | Cameroon | Nigeria |
| 2002 | Cameroon | Senegal |
| 2004 | Tunisia | Morocco |
| 2006 | Egypt | Côte d’Ivoire |
| 2008 | Egypt | Cameroon |
| 2010 | Egypt | Ghana |
| 2012 | Zambia | Côte d’Ivoire |
| 2013 | Nigeria | Burkina Faso |
| 2015 | Côte d’Ivoire | Ghana |
| 2017 | Cameroon | Egypt |
| 2019 | Algeria | Senegal |
| 2021* | Senegal | Egypt |
| 2023 | Côte d’Ivoire | Nigeria |
* The 2021 edition was postponed and played in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is still officially referred to as AFCON 2021.
Records, Trends & Highlights (Updated)
- Most Titles: Egypt leads with 7 AFCON championships (1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010).
- Recent Champion: Côte d’Ivoire, having won in 2023, is the current titleholder.
- Tournament Growth: Over the years, AFCON expanded from a limited number of teams to 24 in the final tournaments (a format used since around 2019).
- Scheduling Adjustments: The tournament has sometimes shifted scheduling or been delayed (e.g. the 2021 edition) due to external factors.
- Cultural & Political Significance: AFCON has often been more than sport—serving as an arena for national identity, diplomacy, and continental unity.
- Future Watch: The 2025 edition in Morocco will be critical—it will bring a new champion (or reassert an existing power) and could reshape narratives in African football.
