The African Cup of Nations gets underway in a couple of weeks time with the opening fixture being on the 21st December and draws to an end with the final on the 18th January. The ACON was founded in 1957 and is the premier football tournament in Africa showcasing the continent’s extraordinary football talent, cultural diversity and unifying spirit.
AFCON began modestly, with only three participating countries which were Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia in its inaugural edition. Fast forward a few years and today 24 teams compete over a month period in a festival of football which is held every two years. The tournament has not only grown in size but also in prestige making it a vital platform for African players to display their skills before global audiences. Many who shine at the event often go on to successful careers in major European leagues.
Footballing giants such as Egypt, Cameroon, and Ghana have historically dominated, with Egypt holding the record for the most titles. There have been a few upsets over the years with nations like Zambia triumphing in 2012 and Algeria in 2019 have delivered. These unforgettable victories that remain embedded in the continent’s sporting memory.
The event brings together millions of fans who don’t just celebrate the football but also the music, colour and cultural richness that accompany every match. Host nations benefit from increased tourism, infrastructure development and global visibility. Stadiums come alive with vibrant energy with traditional chants, drums and dances blend seamlessly with modern football celebrations.
The tournament also plays a vital role in shaping the development of African football. It encourages investment in youth academies, coaching and sports facilities which in turn help elevate the game’s standards. In addition to that AFCON has given a platform to many African coaches whose tactical abilities and leadership continue to gain recognition worldwide.
The last tournament two years ago was won by the Ivory Coast who were also the home nation. They were 1-0 against Nigeria but turned it around to win 2-1 thanks to goals from William Troost-Ekong and Sebastian Haller who plays in the Dutch Top flight division for Utrecht. It was Ivory Coast’s fifth time reaching the final and Nigeria’s 8th.
This year’s events host are Morocco and they are the bookmakers favourites to lift the trophy. They will be looking to add to the one time they won this competition which was back in 1976 and just came up short in 2004 losing in the final to home nation Tunisia 2-1.