From Egypt to DR Congo: A look at AFCON’s most decorated teams

As the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) gears to kick off on December 21 in Morocco, attention is once again turning to the continent’s most successful footballing nations, whose history and trophy haul continue to shape the narrative of African football.

This year’s tournament, which will unfold over Christmas and New Year for the first time, begins with hosts Morocco opening their campaign against Comoros at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium at 10:00 pm.

With squads being named and stars such as Achraf Hakimi, Mohamed Salah, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang set to light up the finals, the stage is set for another chapter of African football history to be written.

Egypt

No nation embodies AFCON greatness more than Egypt, the undisputed kings of the competition with seven titles. The Pharaohs dominated early editions by lifting the 1957 and 1959 trophies back-to-back, long before Africa’s footballing landscape became as competitive as it is today.

Their modern golden era began between 1986 and 2010, with further triumphs in 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010, the latter a dramatic final against Ghana, where substitute Mohamed Nagy “Gedo” scored the winner just 15 minutes after coming on.

Now armed with new stars such as Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush and driven by Mohamed Salah’s desire to win his first continental crown, Egypt enters the 2025 edition hoping to extend its record to an eighth title.

Cameroon

Closest to Egypt in the roll of honour is Cameroon, a nation steeped in AFCON tradition.

The Indomitable Lions have lifted the trophy five times, their victories spread across generations: 1984, 1988, 2000, 2002 and most recently 2017, when they stunned Egypt 2-1 in Libreville.

Mohamed Elneny opened the scoring that evening before Nicolas Nkoulou equalised, paving the way for Vincent Aboubakar’s iconic 88th-minute winner.

That 2017 squad cemented Cameroon’s status as perennial contenders, yet in a surprising twist, Aboubakar was left out of the 2025 team, leaving the Lions without one of their most decisive players in AFCON history.

Ghana

Behind Cameroon sits Ghana with four titles to their name, 1963, 1965, 1978 and the dramatic 1982 triumph where they edged hosts Libya 7–6 in a tense penalty shootout.

That 1982 victory remains etched in African football folklore, as the Black Stars defied a hostile atmosphere in Tripoli to claim continental supremacy.

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Despite reaching multiple finals since, Ghana have endured decades of heartbreak, making 2025 another opportunity to revive their once-dominant reputation.

Nigeria

Nigeria followed closely with three titles, having been crowned champions in 1980, 1994 and most recently in 2013.

The Super Eagles’ last triumph came in Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium, where Sunday Mba’s lone goal secured a 1–0 win over Burkina Faso in a final staged shortly after a glittering closing ceremony.

With Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman spearheading the attack this year, Nigeria arrive in Morocco with legitimate ambitions of adding a fourth star to their crest.

Côte d’Ivoire

Sharing the three-title mark with Nigeria is Côte d’Ivoire, the reigning champions whose victories in 1992, 2015 and 2023 have cemented their status among Africa’s elite.

Their latest triumph came on home soil, where they defeated Nigeria 2-1 in a gripping final in Abidjan.

William Troost-Ekong gave the Super Eagles the lead before Franck Kessié equalised and Sébastien Haller delivered the decisive goal.

Simon Adingra’s brilliance, highlighted by two assists and the Man of the Match award, symbolised a new era of Ivorian excellence.

Algeria

Algeria also featured prominently in AFCON’s winners’ circle, having lifted the trophy in 1990 and again in 2019.

Their 2019 title came in Cairo, where a deflected Baghdad Bounedjah strike secured a 1-0 win over Senegal, ending a 29-year drought and re-establishing Algeria as a continental force.

DR Congo

Completing the list of multiple winners is DR Congo, formerly Zaire, which claimed titles in 1968 and 1974.

Their 1974 victory remains legendary, as they drew 2-2 with Zambia in the final before winning 2-0 in a replay, an achievement that propelled them to the FIFA World Cup later that year.

It remains one of the earliest and most remarkable peaks in Central African football history.