The AFCON Final – the championship match of the Africa Cup of Nations – is the pinnacle of African football. It’s a stage where legends are made, where nations unite in celebration or anguish, and where the continent’s rich football history is written in 90 minutes (or sometimes 120 minutes and penalties). In this article, we delve into the history of AFCON finals, revisit some key matches that have defined the competition, and highlight the winning teams that have dominated over the decades. 

A Brief History of the AFCON Final 

The Africa Cup of Nations began in 1957, and the first final was a simple affair – only three teams participated in that inaugural tournament in Sudan. Egypt won the very first AFCON final on 16 February 1957, defeating Sudan 4-0​. That high-scoring final (with Egypt’s star forward Mohamed Diab Al-Attar “Ad-Diba” scoring a hat-trick) set the tone for Egypt’s early dominance. In fact, Egypt won the first two finals (1957 and 1959) and quickly established themselves as a powerhouse.

As AFCON cup expanded (to 8 teams by the 1960s, 16 teams by the 1990s, and 24 teams in 2019), the final remained the most anticipated event. Initially, finals were decided in regulation or extra time, but as competition grew fiercer, several finals have famously gone to penalty shootouts.

Notable trends in final history:

• Egypt is the most successful nation in AFCON final history with 7 titles (1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010)​. They also have the distinction of having appeared in the most finals (they’ve been in 10 finals, winning 7 and losing 3).
• Cameroon has reached many finals as well, winning 5 of them (1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, 2017). Ghana has 4 titles (1963, 1965, 1978, 1982)​, but also an unfortunate record: Ghana has been runner-up five times, meaning they’ve lost the final more than any other nation​.
• Over the years, the AFCON final has often featured heavyweight clashes, but there have also been fairytale runs by underdogs reaching the final (e.g., Zambia 2012, Burkina Faso 2013).

In the early decades, finals were sometimes high-scoring. The highest-scoring final ever was in 1962 when Ethiopia beat Egypt 4-2 after extra time, giving Ethiopia their sole Africa cup title. However, in modern times, finals have been tighter affairs, often defensive and decided by fine margins. One unique final was in 1976 – in that edition, there was no single final match. Instead, a final round-robin group determined the champion (Morocco topped that final round, so effectively “won” without a one-off final). Since 1980, the format returned to a traditional final match, and we’ve had one every tournament.

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Key Finals and Classic Matches

Over 60+ years of AFCON, certain finals stand out as classic matches either for their quality, drama, or historical significance. Here are a few:

• 1957: Egypt 4-0 Sudan – The first final, hosted by Sudan in Khartoum. Egypt’s emphatic win gave them the maiden title. It’s memorable for being the birth of a tradition and for Egypt’s Ad-Diba scoring 4 goals (some sources say he scored all 4, others 3)​. It set a record for largest margin in a final (4 goals) that still holds.
• 1965: Ghana 3-2 Tunisia (AET) – Played in Tunis, this final saw Ghana clinch victory in extra time. It’s remembered for the Black Stars winning back-to-back titles (1963 and 1965), establishing Ghana as the team of the 60s. The match itself was a see-saw affair with Tunisia (the host) taking the lead, Ghana fighting back, and eventually winning with two extra-time goals.
• 1978: Ghana 2-0 Uganda – Significant because Ghana secured their third AFCON, and they did so on home soil in Accra. The final was notable for the performance of Ghana’s star forward Opoku Afriyie who scored both goals. It was also Uganda’s first (and only) appearance in an AFCON final – a true underdog story for the Cranes, even though they fell at the last hurdle.
• 1986: Egypt 0-0 Cameroon (Egypt won on pens 5-4) – Held in Cairo, this final had a nervy 120 minutes with no goals, but incredible tension in the penalty shootout. Egypt’s win on penalties gave them their 3rd title, and it was especially dramatic as Cameroon’s star Roger Milla was on the losing side. This was the first AFCON final decided by a penalty shootout, setting a precedent for many to come.
• 1988: Cameroon 1-0 Nigeria – A classic West African derby in the final, hosted by Morocco. Cameroon’s Emmanuel Kundé scored a penalty to secure Cameroon’s second title​. This final is remembered for Cameroon’s robust defense (anchored by Stephen Tataw) and Nigeria’s near misses – Nigeria had a goal controversially disallowed. It intensified the Cameroon-Nigeria rivalry.
• 1992: Ivory Coast 0-0 Ghana (Ivory Coast won on pens 11-10) – Widely regarded as one of the most dramatic finals ever. After a goalless draw in Dakar, Senegal, the match went to an epic penalty shootout. It stretched to 12 rounds of penalties – at the time a record in international finals. Ivory Coast won 11-10 on penalties, with Ghana’s Tony Baffoe (who curiously was a Ghanaian player born in Germany) missing the decisive kick in sudden death. This gave Ivory Coast their first AFCON title. The sheer length of the shootout (each team’s entire lineup took kicks) made it legendary.
• 1994: Nigeria 2-1 Zambia – Held in Tunisia, this final had emotional weight. Zambia’s team was a rebuilt side after the tragic 1993 plane crash that killed their previous squad. Against all odds, Zambia reached the final, inspiring the continent. In the final, they took an early lead, but Nigeria’s Rashidi Yekini and Emmanuel Amuneke turned it around for a 2-1 win. Nigeria secured their second AFCON, but Zambia’s brave run stole hearts. According to Britannica, Zambia’s underdog journey in 1994 remains one of AFCON’s great stories​.
• 1996: South Africa 2-0 Tunisia – This final in Johannesburg was historic as it marked South Africa’s debut tournament (after decades of apartheid-induced ban) and they went all the way on home soil. Nelson Mandela famously handed the trophy to South African captain Neil Tovey while wearing a South Africa jersey. Mark Williams scored two late goals to ignite national celebrations. It signaled South Africa’s (brief) rise in African football and was culturally significant in the post-apartheid era.
• 2000: Cameroon 2-2 Nigeria (Cameroon won on pens 4-3) – Co-hosted by Ghana and Nigeria, the final in Lagos was an intense thriller. Cameroon raced to a 2-0 lead (Samuel Eto’o among the scorers), but Nigeria, urged on by a massive home crowd, fought back to 2-2 with Jay-Jay Okocha influential. The match went to penalties, and Cameroon triumphed. However, it was not without controversy – Nigeria had a late “goal” in regulation disallowed (debate rages to this day if the ball crossed the line). This final solidified Cameroon’s reputation as “penalty kings” – it was their second straight AFCON final won on penalties.
• 2002: Cameroon 0-0 Senegal (Cameroon won on pens 3-2) – Another penalty shootout success for Cameroon, this time against Senegal in Mali. This final is remembered for Senegal’s first appearance (with El Hadji Diouf starring) and Cameroon’s back-to-back titles. It also had a poignant moment: after missing the final penalty, Senegal’s star Aliou Cissé was inconsolable – he would later channel that into becoming Senegal’s coach and eventually winning AFCON 2021 as a coach.
• 2006: Egypt 0-0 Côte d’Ivoire (Egypt won on pens 4-2) – Hosted by Egypt, this final kicked off Egypt’s golden run in the 2000s. After a stalemate, the shootout saw Egyptian keeper Essam El-Hadary become a hero with multiple saves. Notably, Côte d’Ivoire’s Didier Drogba missed his penalty. Egypt’s win in Cairo sparked massive celebrations and was the first of an unprecedented three titles in a row for them.
• 2012: Zambia 0-0 Côte d’Ivoire (Zambia won on pens 8-7) – Perhaps the most fairy-tale final ever. Zambia, inspired by the memory of the 1993 team that perished in Gabon (the final was coincidentally in Gabon, near the crash site), faced tournament favorites Côte d’Ivoire (with stars like Drogba, Yaya Touré, Gervinho). The match ended 0-0, though it had drama – Drogba missed a penalty in regulation. In the penalty shootout, it went to sudden death; Zambia won 8-7, with Stoppila Sunzu scoring the winning kick. This final was an underdog triumph “against all odds,” as noted by various commentators​. It was Zambia’s first AFCON title and is often cited as one of the greatest upsets in football matches and finals. The emotional weight – winning in Libreville, so close to the crash site, and dedicating the victory to those fallen players – made it more than just a game.
• 2013: Nigeria 1-0 Burkina Faso – Memorable for Nigeria clinching their third title, and for Burkina Faso’s shock run to the final. Sunday Mba’s goal secured Nigeria’s win. Burkina’s achievement, led by Jonathan Pitroipa and coach Paul Put, was remarkable, though the final itself was straightforward.
• 2015: Côte d’Ivoire 0-0 Ghana (Côte d’Ivoire won on pens 9-8) – A final that mirrored the 1992 epic, with the same two teams involved. After a goalless draw in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, the shootout went to an astonishing 11 rounds again. Goalkeeper Boubacar Barry became the unlikely hero for Côte d’Ivoire – he saved a penalty and then stepped up to score the winning penalty himself​. This victory gave Ivory Coast their long-awaited second title (Drogba’s golden generation had fallen short in 2006 and 2012 finals; ironically they won in 2015 after his retirement). Ghana, heartbreakingly, lost another final on penalties – reminiscent of 1992. This final firmly put the Côte d’Ivoire vs Ghana rivalry into AFCON folklore, with Ivorians winning both marathon shootouts between the two nations.
• 2019: Algeria 1-0 Senegal – Significant as Algeria claimed their second title, and Senegal’s wait for a first AFCON continued. Baghdad Bounedjah scored a freak early goal (deflected in within 2 minutes) and Algeria held firm. It wasn’t the prettiest final, but Algeria’s victory was commanding as they were the best team that tournament.
• 2021 (played in 2022): Senegal 0-0 Egypt (Senegal won on pens 4-2) – Held in Cameroon, this final marked Senegal’s first-ever AFCON championship​. After years of close calls, Senegal finally triumphed, defeating record champions Egypt in a tight match. Sadio Mané, having missed a penalty early in the game, redeemed himself by scoring the final penalty in the shootout to clinch the trophy​. This was a cathartic moment for Senegal, coming full circle from the agony of 2002. Egypt’s goalkeeper Gabaski was heroic throughout the tournament and even saved a Mané penalty in regulation, but in the end, Senegal prevailed. This final also had the subplot of Mané vs. his then club teammate Mohamed Salah, with Mané coming out on top. It was a classic case of a team (Senegal) persevering to break their title duck, akin to what Nigeria did in 1980 or Ivory Coast in 2015.

Each of these finals carries stories of heroics and heartache, and together they paint a picture of Africa’s football evolution. The pressure of a final often means they are not high-scoring, but they are nearly always high drama.

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AFCON Winning Teams and Dynasties

Certain national teams have carved out dynasties in the African Nations Cup by winning multiple titles, sometimes consecutively. Let’s highlight the most successful AFCON teams and their winning eras:

• Egypt (7 titles): Egypt stands atop the AFCON honor roll​. They dominated early (2 titles in the first 3 editions). Their greatest era, however, was the 2000s: Egypt won three consecutive AFCONs in 2006, 2008, 2010, an unprecedented feat​. This team, coached by Hassan Shehata, included icons like Mohamed Aboutrika, Essam El-Hadary, Ahmed Hassan, and Mohammed Zidan. They beat Côte d’Ivoire (2006), Cameroon (2008), and Ghana (2010) in those finals. Egypt’s style of play and tournament savvy set the benchmark. They also won titles in 1986 and 1998, making them a force in multiple eras. Egypt’s seven championships make them the “Brazil/Germany of Africa” in terms of success. However, since 2010, they’ve surprisingly not won again, despite reaching the final in 2017.
• Cameroon (5 titles): Cameroon’s victories came in 1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, 2017. Cameroon enjoyed a golden generation in the 1980s with legends like Roger Milla, and then another in the late 90s/early 2000s (Samuel Eto’o, Rigobert Song). Their back-to-back titles in 2000 and 2002 were both via penalty shootouts, showing their nerve. In 2017, Cameroon won a surprise title with a relatively young squad, indicating their football culture’s depth. They have also been runners-up a couple of times (e.g., 1986, 2008).
• Ghana (4 titles): Ghana’s victories were in 1963, 1965, 1978, 1982, mostly in earlier decades. Ghana in the 1960s (led by legend Osei Kofi and coach Charles Gyamfi) and late 70s/early 80s (stars like Abdul Razak, and teenage Abedi Pele on the squad in 1982) were dominant. Ghana’s four titles are impressive, but as mentioned, they’ve lost the final five times (the most final defeats of any nation)​. Their last AFCON triumph was 1982, which is a long drought for a nation of their stature. They came agonizingly close in 1992, 2010, and 2015 but fell short. Ghana’s consistency in reaching finals (9 appearances) is notable; their challenge remains to get over the line again.
• Nigeria (3 titles): Nigeria clinched AFCON gold in 1980, 1994, 2013. They have also been runners-up multiple times (1984, 1988, 1990, 2000). Nigeria’s first win in 1980 on home soil (with Segun Odegbami starring) marked the rise of West Africa’s most populous nation. The 1994 win in Tunisia – with the likes of Rashidi Yekini, Jay-Jay Okocha, and Emmanuel Amuneke – affirmed Nigeria’s status as 90s giants (they then impressed at World Cup ’94). In 2013, led by Stephen Keshi as coach (who, notably, was captain in 1994 – becoming one of only two people to win AFCON as player and coach), Nigeria reasserted themselves, beating Burkina Faso in the final. Nigeria’s three titles underscore that they are always contenders, and their frequent near-misses show they could have had even more.
• Ivory Coast (3 titles): The Elephants won in 1992, 2015, and now 2023 (the tournament played in 2024). Each of Ivory Coast’s titles has been dramatic. 1992 and 2015, as detailed, were via marathon penalty shootouts against Ghana – those felt like poetic symmetry, two golden generations 23 years apart winning in identical fashion. Ivory Coast’s 2015 victory was particularly emotional, breaking a long spell of being labeled “chokers” after failing in 2006 and 2012 finals. With their recent 2023 title (won on home soil in early 2024, beating Nigeria​), Ivory Coast have joined the elite group with three or more AFCONs. Given their talent production, they may continue to add to that tally.
• Algeria (2 titles): Algeria triumphed in 1990 and 2019. 1990 was at home in Algiers, where a team featuring Rabah Madjer won Algeria’s first title. It took them 29 years to win again – Riyad Mahrez and co. delivered in 2019 with a well-drilled side. Algeria also lost a dramatic final in 1980 (to Nigeria). With two titles, they’re certainly a heavyweight.
• DR Congo (2 titles, as Congo-Kinshasa/Zaire): The Democratic Republic of Congo won in 1968 and 1974. In 1968, as Congo-Kinshasa, they surprised Ghana in the final. In 1974, known as Zaire, they were a dominant force, with superstar striker Pierre Ndaye Mulamba scoring 9 goals in the tournament (a record) and beating Zambia in a final replay (the only final to require a replay after a 2-2 draw, as penalty shootouts weren’t used yet). DR Congo hasn’t reached a final since, but they remain one of the few multiple champions.
• Tunisia (1 title): Tunisia won in 2004 on home soil – their only title to date.
• Zambia (1 title): 2012, as highlighted – a hugely popular win.
• Sudan (1 title): One of the early winners, Sudan took the 1970 championship on home soil in Khartoum, their sole title.
• Ethiopia (1 title): 1962 as hosts, led by star forward Mengistu Worku and coach Yidnekatchew Tessema, Ethiopia won their only AFCON.
• Morocco (1 title): 1976, in that final round-robin format, Morocco emerged champions. Despite their rich football pedigree, Morocco haven’t won another, though they’ve come close (runner-up in 2004).
• South Africa (1 title): 1996, as discussed.
• Congo-Brazzaville (1 title): Often just called Congo, they won in 1972, upsetting Mali in the final. It’s a forgotten triumph by a team led by French coach Vidinic and striker François M’Pele.
• Senegal (1 title): 2021, finally breaking through, and they might add more in coming years.

According to Britannica, in the list of Africa cup of nations winners, no team has more titles than Egypt’s seven, and only three nations (Egypt, Cameroon, Ghana) have won four or more AFCONs​. This underscores how challenging it is to consistently win this tournament – Africa’s depth of talent is immense and new champions can emerge (e.g., of the last five AFCONs up to 2023, we’ve had five different winners – Zambia, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Algeria, then Senegal, Ivory Coast again).

Winning streaks and defenses: Only Egypt (2006, 2008, 2010) achieved a three-peat. No other country has even managed back-to-back since Cameroon in 2000-02. Typically, champions have struggled to defend their title, highlighting AFCON’s competitiveness.

Hosts winning: Historically, hosts have often done well. Champions that were hosts include: Sudan 1970, Ghana 1963 & 1978, Ethiopia 1962, Nigeria 1980, Algeria 1990, South Africa 1996, Egypt 1959 & 1986 & 2006, Tunisia 2004, and Ivory Coast 2023. However, hosting is no guarantee – pressure can be immense (e.g., Cameroon as hosts in 1972 lost in semis, Egypt as hosts in 2019 shockingly went out in Round of 16). 

Moments and Records in AFCON Finals

• Record Champions: Egypt (7 titles)​.
• Most Final Appearances: Ghana (10 finals, won 4, lost 6) – a record for appearances, though they’ve lost the most​.
• High-scoring finals: 1957 (Egypt 4-0 Sudan) and 1962 (Ethiopia 4-2 Egypt) are the highest scoring finals (4 goals by one team)​.
• Longest penalty shootout: 1992 Ivory Coast vs Ghana (11-10 after 12 rounds) is often cited as one of the longest in a major final globally.
• Noteworthy individual final performances:
• Egypt’s Ahmed Hassan played in four finals (1998, 2006, 2008, 2010) and won them all – he is AFCON’s most decorated player (4 titles, 2 as captain).
• Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o scored in two winning finals (2000 and 2002) and is the tournament’s all-time top scorer overall, though curiously final goals were not his main haul.
• Zambia’s Christophe Katongo was inspirational as captain in 2012, scoring in the semi and leading by example in the final (he was Player of the Tournament).
• Goalkeeping heroics are often decisive in finals: e.g., Cameroon’s Thomas N’Kono (1984), Egypt’s El-Hadary (2006, 2008, 2010, especially the penalty saves in 2006 final), Nigeria’s Ike Shorunmu (saved in 2000 final shootout though Nigeria lost), Ivory Coast’s Boubacar Barry (2015).
• Heartbreaks: Many great players never won an AFCON despite playing (or even losing) in finals: e.g., Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan (lost finals in 2010, 2015), Côte d’Ivoire’s Didier Drogba (lost finals 2006, 2012; he missed a penalty in 2012 final), Zambia’s Kalusha Bwalya (runner-up 1994), and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah (lost in 2017 and 2021 finals).
• Political and cultural impact: Finals often carry symbolic weight. For instance, 2010 final (Egypt vs Ghana) occurred when Egypt was on the verge of the Arab Spring upheaval; the victory was one of the last national unifying moments before political turmoil. The 1996 final was a celebration of a new South Africa. The 2008 final where Egypt beat Cameroon in Ghana had an interesting backdrop of Ghanaian fans (whose team lost in semis) rooting for Egypt against their old rivals Cameroon.

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The Final as a Showcase of African Football

The AFCON final is not just a match; it’s a showcase of African football excellence. It often pits the best players (many of whom star in top European leagues) against each other with national pride on the line. As BBC Sport and other global media note, the level of skill and passion on display in AFCON finals rivals any international competition, debunking any notion (like those ignorant comments sometimes heard in foreign press) that AFCON is “less significant”​. In fact, winning the AFCON final is the crowning achievement for African players – many place it on par with any club honors they’ve received.

Over time, the final has produced tactical battles as well – from the free-flowing attacking finals of the 60s to the more cagey, chess-match finals of recent years. Coaches like Egypt’s Hassan Shehata, Nigeria’s Stephen Keshi, Algeria’s Djamel Belmadi have masterminded final victories with astute game management.

Each winning team in the final enters the annals of history. As John Rafferty of Britannica observes, no AFCON title is easily won; even the most successful nations faced intense challenges en route to their championships​. The final is simply where all those challenges culminate in either triumph or defeat. 

Conclusion

The African Nations Cup final has given us some of football’s most enduring images: Egypt’s captain lifting the trophy threepeat in 2010 amidst confetti in Angola; Roger Milla dancing with the trophy in 1988; Zambian players in tears of joy in 2012 singing their national anthem on the podium; Sadio Mané collapsing to his knees in 2022 as Senegal finally became kings of Africa​.

The history is rich: from the early dominance of Egypt and Ghana to the rise of new powers like Nigeria and Cameroon, to recent parity with nations like Zambia and Algeria having their moments. The finals have encapsulated political change, underdog stories, and the sheer quality of African football.

Looking at the roll of honor:

• Egypt – 7 titles, the undisputed kings historically.
• Cameroon – 5 titles, the indomitable lions of multiple eras.
• Ghana – 4 titles, once dominant, now long-awaiting a fifth.
• Nigeria (3), Ivory Coast (3) – consistent juggernauts with multiple generations of talent.
• Others with fewer titles but no less passion – each star on each national badge tells a tale of a final win.

In AFCON finals, we see tactical African derbies (West African, North African rivalries), as well as cross-continent matchups that rarely happen elsewhere. The finals have produced legendary matches like 1992 and 2012’s marathon wins, and legendary teams like Cameroon 2000s or Egypt 2000s.

And the story is ongoing – each tournament adds a new chapter. The 2023 final added Ivory Coast again to the winners’ list, showing the torch keeps passing. Fans and players alike know that reaching the AFCON final is a career-defining achievement, and winning it etches one’s name in continental lore.

As African football continues to grow, the significance of the AFCON final only magnifies. It’s not just a game; it’s the moment when Africa crowns its champion, with the whole continent and much of the world watching. The past finals have given us a treasure trove of memories, and future finals will surely continue that legacy – delivering drama, unity, and the celebration of African excellence.

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