AFCON Winners List: Every Africa Cup of Nations Champion
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is the most prestigious international football tournament in Africa. Since its first edition in 1957, the competition has crowned champions from across the continent, producing historic finals, unexpected victories and periods of dominance by some of Africa’s strongest national teams.
Egypt remains the most successful nation in AFCON history with seven titles, followed by Cameroon with five and Ghana with four. Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire have won three championships each.
As of October 2026, 35 editions of the tournament have been completed. The latest was AFCON 2025, played in Morocco between December 2025 and January 2026. Its official result remains the subject of an ongoing legal appeal.
Below is the complete AFCON winners list, followed by the most successful countries, notable champions and major competition records.
Complete AFCON Winners List From 1957 to 2025
The Africa Cup of Nations has been held since 1957, although its format, number of participating teams and tournament schedule have changed considerably.
The following table includes every AFCON champion, the tournament year and the host country.
| Year | Winner | Host Country |
| 1957 | Egypt | Sudan |
| 1959 | Egypt (United Arab Republic) | United Arab Republic |
| 1962 | Ethiopia | Ethiopia |
| 1963 | Ghana | Ghana |
| 1965 | Ghana | Tunisia |
| 1968 | DR Congo (Congo-Kinshasa) | Ethiopia |
| 1970 | Sudan | Sudan |
| 1972 | Congo | Cameroon |
| 1974 | DR Congo (Zaire) | Egypt |
| 1976 | Morocco | Ethiopia |
| 1978 | Ghana | Ghana |
| 1980 | Nigeria | Nigeria |
| 1982 | Ghana | Libya |
| 1984 | Cameroon | Côte d’Ivoire |
| 1986 | Egypt | Egypt |
| 1988 | Cameroon | Morocco |
| 1990 | Algeria | Algeria |
| 1992 | Côte d’Ivoire | Senegal |
| 1994 | Nigeria | Tunisia |
| 1996 | South Africa | South Africa |
| 1998 | Egypt | Burkina Faso |
| 2000 | Cameroon | Ghana and Nigeria |
| 2002 | Cameroon | Mali |
| 2004 | Tunisia | Tunisia |
| 2006 | Egypt | Egypt |
| 2008 | Egypt | Ghana |
| 2010 | Egypt | Angola |
| 2012 | Zambia | Gabon and Equatorial Guinea |
| 2013 | Nigeria | South Africa |
| 2015 | Côte d’Ivoire | Equatorial Guinea |
| 2017 | Cameroon | Gabon |
| 2019 | Algeria | Egypt |
| 2021 | Senegal | Cameroon |
| 2023 | Côte d’Ivoire | Côte d’Ivoire |
| 2025 | Morocco* | Morocco |
Morocco is the officially recognised 2025 champion under a CAF Appeal Board decision issued in March 2026. Senegal won the final 1-0 on the pitch but was subsequently declared to have forfeited the match. Senegal’s appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport remains pending as of October 2026.
The tournament year does not always correspond to the year in which the matches took place. AFCON 2021 was played in January and February 2022, while the 2023 edition took place in early 2024.
Similarly, AFCON 2025 concluded in January 2026 but retains its official 2025 designation.
Another historical detail concerns national team names. Egypt competed as the United Arab Republic in 1959, while DR Congo won titles under the names Congo-Kinshasa and Zaire. Those victories are included in the modern countries’ totals.
Which Country Has Won the Most AFCON Titles?
Egypt holds the record for the most Africa Cup of Nations championships, having won seven editions.
Cameroon ranks second with five titles, followed by Ghana with four. Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire share fourth place with three victories each.
The ranking below reflects CAF’s current recognition of the 2025 championship.
| Country | Titles | Winning Years |
| Egypt | 7 | 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010 |
| Cameroon | 5 | 1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, 2017 |
| Ghana | 4 | 1963, 1965, 1978, 1982 |
| Nigeria | 3 | 1980, 1994, 2013 |
| Côte d’Ivoire | 3 | 1992, 2015, 2023 |
| Algeria | 2 | 1990, 2019 |
| DR Congo | 2 | 1968, 1974 |
| Morocco | 2* | 1976, 2025 |
| Senegal | 1* | 2021 |
| Congo | 1 | 1972 |
| Ethiopia | 1 | 1962 |
| South Africa | 1 | 1996 |
| Sudan | 1 | 1970 |
| Tunisia | 1 | 2004 |
| Zambia | 1 | 2012 |
The totals for Morocco and Senegal could change depending on the final CAS ruling concerning AFCON 2025.
Egypt’s record is particularly impressive because its titles span several generations. The Pharaohs won the first two editions, returned to the top in 1986 and 1998, and then claimed three consecutive championships between 2006 and 2010.
Cameroon established itself as another continental powerhouse with victories in the 1980s, early 2000s and 2017. Ghana’s four titles came between 1963 and 1982, while Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire have remained competitive across different eras.
Past AFCON results provide useful context, but they rarely tell the full story of a team’s current strength. Recent form, squad availability and tactical matchups often matter more when evaluating the prediction today for upcoming international matches.
How Did the Africa Cup of Nations Begin?
The first Africa Cup of Nations took place in Sudan in 1957.
Only three national teams participated: Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia. South Africa had originally been expected to compete but was excluded because of its apartheid-era racial selection policies.
Egypt became the inaugural champion after defeating Ethiopia 4-0 in the final. Mohamed Diab Al-Attar, known as Ad-Diba, scored all four goals.
Egypt retained the trophy in 1959, when the competition used a round-robin format involving three teams.
Ethiopia won its first and only title in 1962, defeating Egypt 4-2 after extra time in a final played in Addis Ababa.
Ghana then became the dominant force of the 1960s, winning consecutive championships in 1963 and 1965.
As more African nations joined the competition, the list of champions expanded. DR Congo won in 1968, Sudan in 1970, Congo in 1972 and Zaire in 1974.
Morocco claimed its first title in 1976, when the championship was decided through a final group stage rather than a conventional knockout final.
The early editions helped establish AFCON as a major international competition and created the foundations for its later expansion.
Egypt and Cameroon’s Most Successful AFCON Eras
Two national teams stand out for their sustained success across multiple tournaments: Egypt and Cameroon.
Egypt’s greatest achievement came between 2006 and 2010, when the national team won three consecutive Africa Cup of Nations titles under coach Hassan Shehata.
In 2006, Egypt defeated Côte d’Ivoire on penalties in the final. Two years later, the Pharaohs beat Cameroon 4-2 to retain the championship.
Egypt completed the historic treble in 2010 with a 1-0 victory over Ghana, thanks to a late goal from Mohamed Nagy, known as Gedo.
The team included influential players such as Ahmed Hassan, Mohamed Aboutrika, Essam El Hadary and Wael Gomaa. Its success was built on defensive organisation, technical quality and consistent performances in knockout matches.
Cameroon’s most successful periods came in the 1980s and early 2000s.
The Indomitable Lions won their first AFCON title in 1984, beating Nigeria 3-1 in the final, and added another in 1988 with a 1-0 victory over the same opponents.
Cameroon then secured consecutive championships in 2000 and 2002, winning both finals on penalties.
Samuel Eto’o, Patrick Mboma and Rigobert Song were among the prominent figures associated with this generation.
Cameroon claimed its fifth title in 2017 after coming from behind to defeat Egypt 2-1 in the final.
Although other nations have enjoyed successful periods, Egypt remains the only team to have won three consecutive AFCON editions.
The Most Memorable AFCON Champions
Not every historic AFCON victory belongs to the teams with the most trophies. Several championships stand out because of the circumstances surrounding them.
South Africa’s First Title in 1996
South Africa hosted the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations after returning to international football following the end of apartheid-era sporting isolation.
The national team, coached by Clive Barker, reached the final against Tunisia.
Mark Williams scored twice in the second half to secure a 2-0 victory and deliver South Africa’s first continental championship.
The success became a significant moment in the country’s sporting history and remains its only AFCON title.
Zambia’s Emotional Victory in 2012
Zambia’s triumph in 2012 is one of the competition’s most remarkable stories.
The final was held in Libreville, Gabon, near the site of the 1993 plane crash that killed members of Zambia’s national football team.
Zambia faced Côte d’Ivoire, a side featuring several internationally established players, including Didier Drogba.
After a goalless draw, the match went to a penalty shootout. Zambia eventually won 8-7, securing its first Africa Cup of Nations title.
The victory was particularly meaningful because of the national team’s history and the long wait for a continental championship.
Côte d’Ivoire’s Dramatic Comeback in 2023
The 2023 tournament, played in early 2024, produced one of AFCON’s most extraordinary championship campaigns.
Hosts Côte d’Ivoire lost twice during the group stage, including a 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea, and qualified for the knockout rounds as one of the best third-placed teams.
Despite those setbacks, the team recovered to eliminate Senegal, Mali and DR Congo.
In the final against Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire fell behind before goals from Franck Kessié and Sébastien Haller secured a 2-1 victory.
The result gave Côte d’Ivoire its third AFCON title and completed a remarkable turnaround.
Who Won AFCON 2025?
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations was hosted by Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
The final took place in Rabat between Morocco and Senegal.
Senegal won the match 1-0 after extra time, with Pape Gueye scoring the decisive goal. However, the closing stages of normal time had been marked by a major controversy.
After Morocco were awarded a late penalty, Senegal’s players temporarily left the pitch in protest. They subsequently returned, the match resumed and Senegal went on to win.
On 17 March 2026, the CAF Appeal Board ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match under the competition regulations. The final was consequently recorded as a 3-0 victory for Morocco.
Senegal appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport on 25 March 2026.
As of 21 October 2026, the appeal remains unresolved. CAS is expected to issue its ruling by the end of November 2026.
This creates an important distinction between the result on the pitch and the current official record:
- On-field result: Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 after extra time.
- Current CAF ruling: Morocco was awarded a 3-0 victory and recognised as champion.
- Legal status: Senegal’s appeal remains pending before CAS.
Until the appeal is resolved, Morocco is listed as the 2025 champion under CAF’s current decision. The official record may change if CAS overturns that ruling.
FAQ
Who Has Won the Most AFCON Titles?
Egypt has won the Africa Cup of Nations seven times, more than any other country. Its victories came in 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010.
How Many Times Has Nigeria Won AFCON?
Nigeria has won three championships, in 1980, 1994 and 2013. The Super Eagles have also finished as runners-up on several occasions.
When Did Ghana Last Win the Africa Cup of Nations?
Ghana last won AFCON in 1982, defeating hosts Libya on penalties in the final. The Black Stars have four titles overall.
Who Won the First Africa Cup of Nations?
Egypt won the inaugural AFCON tournament in 1957, defeating Ethiopia 4-0 in the final held in Sudan.
When Is the Next Africa Cup of Nations?
The next edition is scheduled for 2027, with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda set to co-host the tournament.