As AFCON 2025 kicks off in Morocco on December 21, the football world once again turns its attention to the legends who have shaped the Africa Cup of Nations over the decades. From dominant national teams to iconic goalscorers and historic coaching achievements, AFCON’s history is packed with unforgettable records.
Below is a full breakdown of the greatest achievements in the tournament’s history.
Most Successful Nations in AFCON History
1. Egypt: 7 Titles (Record Holders)
The Pharaohs remain the undisputed kings of African football.
They hold:
Most titles: 7
Most tournament appearances: 28
Most wins: 62
Most goals scored: 168
Egypt also achieved a historic three-peat in 2006, 2008 and 2010, a feat unmatched in African football.
2. Cameroon: 5 Titles
The Indomitable Lions dominated in the 1980s and early 2000s, including famous back to back victories in 2000 and 2002.
3. Ghana: 4 Titles
AFCON pioneers of the 1960s and ’70s, Ghana share the record for most final appearances (9) alongside Egypt.
4. Nigeria & Ivory Coast: 3 Titles Each
Both nations remain among Africa’s strongest football powerhouses, with consistent performances across multiple generations.
AFCON All Time Leading Goalscorers
1. Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon) 18 Goals
Once among the world’s most feared strikers, Eto’o remains AFCON’s all time top scorer.
2. Laurent Pokou (Ivory Coast) 14 Goals
A 1970s superstar, Pokou famously scored five goals in a single match against Ethiopia in 1970, still an AFCON record.
3. Rashidi Yekini (Nigeria) 13 Goals
Nicknamed “The Goals Father,” Yekini was Nigeria’s talisman during their golden era of the 1980s and ’90s.
4. Hassan El-Shazly (Egypt) 12 Goals
El-Shazly holds:
Most goals in a single AFCON for Egypt: 6 (1963)
Most hat tricks in AFCON history: 2 (1963 & 1970)
5. Patrick Mboma, Hossam Hassan & Didier Drogba: 11 Goals Each
Three iconic forwards tied on 11 goals, each making a lasting impact for Cameroon, Egypt and Ivory Coast respectively.
Player Appearance Records
Most tournaments (8):
Rigobert Song (Cameroon), Ahmed Hassan (Egypt), Andre Ayew (Ghana), Youssef Msakni (Tunisia)
Most matches played (36):
Andre Ayew (Ghana) & Rigobert Song (Cameroon)
More Player Milestones
Oldest player: Essam El Hadary (Egypt) 44 years, 21 days (AFCON 2017 final)
Youngest player: Chiva Star Nzighou (Gabon) 16 years, 2 months, 30 days (AFCON 2000)
Youngest goalscorer: Nzighou 16 years, 93 days (vs South Africa, 2000)
Fastest goal: Ayman Mansour (Egypt) 23 seconds vs Mozambique (1994)
Most goals in a single tournament:
Mulumba N’Daye (Zaire) 9 (1974)
Laurent Pokou (Ivory Coast) 8 (1970)
Vincent Aboubakar (Cameroon) 8 (2021)
Coaching Records
Most titles (3):
Hassan Shehata (Egypt) 2006, 2008, 2010
Charles Gyamfi (Ghana) 1963, 1965, 1982
Only coach to win with two nations:
Hervé Renard Zambia (2012) & Ivory Coast (2015)
AFCON winners as player AND coach:
Mahmoud El Gohary (Egypt)
Stephen Keshi (Nigeria)
More Remarkable AFCON Records
Longest unbeaten run: Egypt 25 matches (2004–2017)
Longest penalty shootout: Ivory Coast vs Cameroon 12-11 (2006)
Most consecutive appearances by a nation: Tunisia 17 tournaments (1994–2025)
