As the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations prepares to kick off in Morocco on December 21st, GhSpeaks.com takes a look back at some of the most memorable moments in the tournament’s rich history.

The very first AFCON, held in Khartoum, Sudan in 1957, was a modest affair with only three participating nations: Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia. South Africa, initially slated to compete, was disqualified. Despite its small beginnings, this tournament laid the groundwork for African football’s growth and helped forge a continental identity.

Egypt, already a footballing power at the time, confidently claimed the inaugural title. They overcame Sudan 2-1 in the semi-finals and then emphatically defeated Ethiopia 4-0 in the final, with Ad-Diba netting all four goals.

Fast forward to 1996, and South Africa etched their name into AFCON history by winning the tournament on home soil. Bafana Bafana’s 2-0 victory over Tunisia in front of a roaring 80,000-strong crowd symbolized a national rebirth and established South Africa as a force to be reckoned with.

That same year marked a significant expansion for the tournament, increasing the number of participating teams to 16. However, the competition actually featured 15 teams after Nigeria withdrew at the last minute.

The 2012 edition in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea witnessed a truly inspiring triumph for Zambia. Despite not being among the pre-tournament favourites, the Chipolopolo went undefeated, culminating in a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Côte d’Ivoire.

This victory carried immense emotional weight, as it came 19 years after the tragic plane crash off the coast of Gabon in 1993, which claimed the lives of 18 Zambian players. The team played not only for glory but also in remembrance of those lost, as coach Hervé Renard stated, “They fought for the memory of their brothers.”

The rivalry between Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana has produced some unforgettable AFCON finals. In 1992, the two nations battled to a draw, requiring an astonishing 22 penalty kicks to finally determine a winner, with Côte d’Ivoire prevailing.

The drama repeated itself in 2015, another goalless encounter that went to penalties. Côte d’Ivoire, despite early misses, ultimately triumphed thanks to a decisive save by goalkeeper Boubacar Barry, leaving Ghanaian fans heartbroken.

Senegal finally broke their AFCON curse in 2021, defeating Egypt in a penalty shootout to claim their first-ever title. Sadio Mané, despite missing a penalty during regular time, stepped up and converted the winning kick, sparking jubilant celebrations across Senegal after decades of waiting.

AFCON 2025 promises another chapter of thrilling football, filled with spectacular matches, unexpected turns, and the unwavering passion of the African game.

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