Here at 10bet South Africa we live and breathe football and not many things excite us as much as the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the continent’s premier international soccer tournament! It’s a proper celebration of African football’s finest and this article is your ultimate guide to one of the world’s most passionate football events!
When was the first ever Africa Cup of Nations Played?
1957 goes down in the history books as the first time the Africa Cup of Nations tournament was played.
Who won the first ever Africa Cup of Nations?
Egypt lifted the trophy. What a moment for the Pharaohs!
Where was the first ever Africa Cup of Nations hosted?
It was hosted in Sudan.
Who are the defending Africa Cup of Nations Champions?
Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in their history in 2022, and they’re the defending champions.
Who is the most successful team in the history of the tournament?
Egypt have won the AFCON a record seven times.
Egypt also hold the record for the most Africa Cup of Nations titles won in a row. The Pharaohs clinched three AFCON titles on the trot in 2006, 2008 and 2010.
This is a remarkable achievement, and this Egypt team is still regarded as a golden generation among the football fanatics.
The AFCON has not been short of magical and inspirational moments throughout the years.
Ayman Mansour of Egypt scored the fastest goal in the Africa Cup of Nations, and it came after just 23 seconds of play in Egypt’s 4-0 thrashing of Gabon in the 1994 AFCON held in Tunisia.
The Chipolopolo of Zambia stunned the soccer world when they made history with the greatest upset in the AFCON when they won the tournament for the first time ever in 2012.
What made this achievement even more incredible for Zambia was the emotions that went into winning the competition.
Zambia dedicated their win to 18 team members who died in a plane crash in 1993 off the coast of Gabon not far from the Libreville Stadium where they lifted the trophy in 2012.
Mali turned on the magic with 4 second-half goals to produce the greatest comeback in AFCON history.
Angola played Mali in the opening match of the 2010 AFCON in Angola and the match didn’t disappoint. This was one of the all-time classics. Angola came out firing and looked headed for a certain three points after leading 4-0 with 78 minutes played.
However, soccer is a funny game, and anything can happen. It’s really not over until the fat lady sings. Mali stunned the home crowd with four goals in the final eleven minutes and the game ended 4-4. Believe it this actually happened!
Who was the top goalscorer at the 2021 AFCON?
Cameroon forward Vincent Aboubakar was in great form throughout the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, and he won the Golden Boot with eight goals from the seven matches he played in.
Who is the leading all time AFCON top goalscorer?
Former Cameroon and FC Barcelona forward Samuel Eto’o scored 18 goals in 29 AFCON games across six editions of the AFCON and he is the leading all time AFCON top goalscorer as of 2023.
Aliou Cisse made up for his missed penalty in the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations final by leading Senegal to AFCON glory in 2022, this time as coach. A legendary moment!
Back in 2002 current Senegal coach, Aliou Cisse missed a penalty that cost Senegal their first Africa Cup of Nations title. Twenty years later, the Lions Of Teranga won the AFCON crown with Cisse as their coach.
Where will the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations take place?
The next edition of the AFCON will be hosted by Ivory Coast. The tournament gets underway from 13 January- 11 February 2024.
Bafana Bafana have qualified for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations and we’re the Official Betting Partner of Bafana Bafana, so let’s make that a tournament to remember!
The 2024 AFCON is not to be missed and you can bet on all the games right here with 10bet South Africa.
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