The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has produced decades of drama, legends, and unforgettable moments since its inception in February 1957 in Khartoum, Sudan. Over the years, several nations have stamped their authority on Africa’s biggest football stage.
Softfootball highlights the top 10 most successful nations in AFCON history, based on titles won from 1957 to the conclusion of the 2025 edition.
Egypt sit comfortably at the top of the list with a record seven AFCON titles, underlining their long-standing dominance on the continent. Cameroon follow with five trophies, while Ghana’s golden generations have delivered four titles.
Ivory Coast and Nigeria are joint fifth, each boasting three AFCON triumphs, while Algeria, DR Congo, and Senegal have all lifted the prestigious trophy twice. Zambia and Tunisia complete the top 10, each with one historic AFCON victory.
Top 10 Most Successful AFCON Nations (1957–2025):
- Egypt – 7 titles
- Cameroon – 5 titles
- Ghana – 4 titles
- Ivory Coast – 3 titles
- Nigeria – 3 titles
- Algeria – 2 titles
- DR Congo – 2 titles
- Senegal – 2 titles
- Zambia – 1 title
- Tunisia – 1 title
The AFCON 2025 final added another dramatic chapter to the tournament’s rich history. Senegal came close to boycotting the match following a controversial penalty decision that sparked protests from players and officials. However, captain Sadio Mané intervened, calling his teammates back from the dressing room to continue the game.
The penalty moment itself proved costly, as Brahim Díaz attempted a Panenka that failed to find the net. The match eventually went into extra time, where Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal in the 94th minute, assisted by Idrissa Gueye, sealing a dramatic victory, winning AFCON 2025 and capping off a tournament filled with tension, controversy, and high-quality football.
AFCON’s legacy continues to grow, and with every edition, new stories are written into African football history.
