The African Cup of Nations (AFCON), an all men football tournament organized and managed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) was first held in the year 1957 in Khartoum, Sudan.
In the first tournament held in Sudan, only three (3) countries participated.
South Africa which was on the list of participating countries was disqualified due to apartheid policies of the time which brought the number to 3 nations.
Since 1968, the AFCON tournament has been held every two (2) years which switched to odd-numbered years in 2013.
Algeria currently holds the title as the champion of AFCON after winning the tournament in 2019.
Egypt is the most successful nation in the history of the tournament as seven times winners.
Egypt is the most successful team in the AFCON winners list, claiming the title seven times, including a hat-trick between 2006 and 2010. They have finished runners-up on three occasions (1962, 2017 and 2021) and third thrice (1963, 1970 and 1974)
Also, Ghana and Cameroon have also won a trophy each for keeps after winning the title of the tournament on three occasions.
In 2017 during Ahmad Ahmad’s tenure as president of CAF, the number of teams or nations that could participate in the AFCON was increased from 16 to 24 countries, effective from the 2019 version of the tournament.
The most recent prize money a nation ever won as winners of the tournament was $4.5 million, which was won by Algeria in 2019.
Currently, AFCON 2021 is underway due to delays brought about by the impact of Covid-19.
Past AFCON winners
- 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
- Ivory Coast (2) – 1992, 2015
- Algeria (2) – 1990, 2019
- DR Congo (2) – 1968, 1974
- Zambia (1) – 2012
- Tunisia (1) – 2004
- Sudan (1) – 1970
- Ethiopia (1) – 1962
- Morocco (1) – 1976
- South Africa (1) – 1996
- Congo (1) – 1972
- Senegal (1) – 2021
Senegal won the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in the Olembé stadium of Yaoundé. As they faced 7-time champion Egypt, the Teranga Lions didn’t surrender.
The men of Aliou Cissé beat Egypt on Sunday, February 6 with a 4-2 win in the penalty shoot-out.
Source: unitedshowbiz.com.gh