The tournament's political conscience would be defined for decades by the apartheid shadow cast by the disqualification of South Africa, a fourth founding member, for not fielding a mixed squad.

AFCON has grown from a modest three-team competition to a world-renowned spectacle. Today, it is a billion-dollar, 24-nation display of football skill that attracts hundreds of millions of viewers on television and demands the interest of the wealthiest clubs in the world.

The history of this competition is inextricably linked to the history of contemporary Africa. It is a narrative of self-determination, a window into political conflict, a stage for pan-African identity, and a complicated arena for talent, wealth, and power. 

 The continent's transformation from colonial domination to a strong, aggressive force in the world game is more vividly depicted by AFCON than by any other championship.

How Did the Tournament Come to Be?

AFCON was conceived as a post-colonial act of protest. A year earlier, in 1956, during a FIFA conference in Lisbon, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) was established. Four countries Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, and South Africa formed it.

This arrangement made a statement. 

The establishment of an autonomous football organization was a statement of sovereignty at a time when African countries were starting to break free from the shackles of colonial European domination.

The Initial Competition: Khartoum 1957

The first cup in Sudan had very little logistical support. There were just two games played after South Africa was expelled. Egypt overcame the host country, Sudan, while Ethiopia was eliminated from the final.


Ad-Diba of Egypt became the tournament's first-ever winner and top scorer in the final, scoring all four goals in a 4-0 victory against Ethiopia. Abdel Aziz Abdallah Salem, the first CAF president, was honored with the trophy, which was won. 

Two years later, in 1959, Egypt would host and win the second edition, ushering in a period of supremacy that would reverberate throughout the history of the cup.

The Early Shadow of Apartheid

One of the fundamental decisions was the instant exclusion of South Africa. It solidified AFCON's position as a progressive, pan-African organization that is essentially opposed to the officially sanctioned racial segregation in South Africa.

This political position was the headline, not a footnote. It established a precedent that AFCON represented the ideals of the newly independent Africa in addition to sport. Only when the apartheid system was completely overthrown in 1996 would South Africa be permitted to compete once more.

In what ways did Africa's political transformation manifest itself in AFCON?

The competition grew from four to six teams and eventually to eight teams by 1968 as additional countries attained independence during the 1960s. Every new member represented a recently freed country, and their involvement in AFCON served as a testament to their statehood.

A Foundation for Self-Sufficiency

Ghana, under the leadership of Kwame Nkrumah, a pan-Africanist, was a prime example of this combination of politics and athletics. According to Nkrumah, the national team, known as the "Black Stars," serves as a symbol of continental solidarity and national identity.

In 1963 and 1965, Ghana hosted and won the cup. These achievements were portrayed as victories for an Africa that was capable, independent, and fresh. 

The competition further solidified the connection between the political and athletic goals of the continent by taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the capital of the newly formed Organization of African Unity (OAU), in 1962 and 1968.

Making a Political Statement via Hosting

For African governments, hosting AFCON became as a key "soft power" tactic throughout the 1970s and 1980s. It was an opportunity to convey a sense of stability, modernism, and patriotism.

Stadiums, infrastructure, and opening ceremonies were planned to convey a message to both home and international audiences, from Zaire in 1974 to Nigeria in 1980.

"The history of African independence and the history of AFCON are inextricably linked," stated Dr. Fola Adebayo, a sports historian at the University of Lagos. "To host the cup was to announce your arrival to the world. It was an outward display of sovereignty.

The 1996 Moment in South Africa

The year 1996 was arguably the most powerful representation of AFCON's political importance. 

The tournament was hosted by South Africa, which was readmitted to CAF after achieving democracy and ending apartheid.

President Nelson Mandela, dressed in the captain's jersey, presented the trophy to the winning Bafana Bafana in a moment of historic national healing. 

The 1995 Rugby World Cup served as a potent reminder, bringing the country's Black majority together via the "people's game."

The giants who defined the eras are who?

The stage was supplied by politics, but the legends were made by the players.

Dominant dynasties and legendary football players who rose to prominence on the continental and eventually international stages have shaped the tournament's history.

The Unrivaled Record of the Pharaohs
Egypt is still without a doubt the competition's king.Their triumphs in 1957 and 1959 were only the start.

The event has been won by the Pharaohs a record seven times. Their most impressive accomplishment was an unheard-of "three-peat," taking home trophies in 2006, 2008, and 2010. Built on a foundation of homegrown players, this contemporary dynasty demonstrated a degree of tactical and technical domination never before seen in the history of the cup.

The 'Black Stars' of Ghana in the 1960s

Ghana further cemented its position as a football superpower with victories in 1978 and 1982, following its politically heated victories in 1963 and 1965. They were the 20th century's best squad with four trophies, but they haven't won a trophy in more almost 40 years.

The Rise of the Indomitable Lions The "Indomitable Lions" of Cameroon became a dominant force in the 1980s after taking home their first championship in 1984. Over the years, they won five titles: in 1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, and 2017.


Figures like Roger Milla, who initially shined in the 80s, and subsequently Samuel Eto'o (the tournament's all-time leading scorer) and Rigobert Song, became icons of a new, physically powerful and technically brilliant African footballer.

Contemporary Dynasties and Astonishments
Ivory Coast's "Elephants" (1992, 2015, 2023) and Nigeria's "Super Eagles" (winners in 1980, 1994, 2013) have likewise solidified their status as continental powerhouses.

The tournament's charm, however, frequently resides in its upsets. Zambia's 2012 triumph is the most poignant in AFCON history. Only a few kilometers from the scene of the 1993 flight crash that cruelly claimed the lives of nearly their entire national squad, the Chipolopolo won the final in Libreville, Gabon.

What Technical and Financial Changes Have Been Made to the Tournament?
The AFCON of 1957 is indistinguishable from the present tournament. Significant structural and financial changes have occurred in the competition, resulting in both new possibilities and new disputes.

The Expansion to 24 Teams

For decades, the tournament format fluctuated between 8, 12, and 16 teams (introduced in 1996). The historic decision to increase the tournament's size to 24 participants was taken by CAF in 2019.


This action was praised for being inclusive and allowing more countries to participate. It also sparked worries about weakening the group stages' quality and burdening host countries with more infrastructure.

The 'Club vs. Country' Discussion
An intense "club versus country" rivalry developed as African players became essential to the success of Europe's greatest clubs. The customary January-February timeframe for the competition coincides with the European league season.


European teams, notably in England and France, regularly express anger at missing their key players like Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, or Victor Osimhen for up to six weeks. This has resulted to great pressure on players and federations, turning the event into a recurring flashpoint in the world football calendar.

Problems with Scheduling: Summer vs. Winter

CAF rescheduled the 2019 tournament in Egypt for the June–July window in an effort to please European clubs. This was heralded as the answer.

The solution didn't last long. Both the Cameroonian edition of 2021 and the Ivory Coast edition of 2023 were rescheduled for the January–February window. 

The declared justification was to escape the summertime, heavy rainy seasons in West and Central Africa. This reversal demonstrates the unmanageable atmosphere and scheduling issues that still afflict the event.

What Is the History and Importance of AFCON?

As it begins its second half-century, AFCON is a paradoxical competition. It is a worldwide talent showcase and a source of great pride for the continent, but it also confronts scheduling, infrastructural, and governance issues.

A Worldwide Talent Exhibition

No reconnaissance ground in the world is more concentrated than this one. Global stars are born during AFCON. Before becoming well-known in the UEFA Champions League and European domestic leagues, Didier Drogba, Yaya Touré, Michael Essien, and many others utilized the event to herald their presence.

It serves as a key confirmation of African talent, indicating that the continent produces players capable of playing at the greatest level.

Cultural Identity: Going Beyond the Pitch

In the end, AFCON is much more than just a football competition. African culture, identity, and passion are celebrated for two months.

A continent in all its richness and togetherness is celebrated by the vivid colors, the music, the fervent throng, and the strong sense of national pride on exhibit. 

It continues to be the only occasion that can consistently bring whole countries together, halt traffic in major cities, and unite millions of people in a common experience.

From its politically-charged roots in Khartoum, AFCON has become a crucial, complicated, and inescapable element of the global athletic environment, its heartbeat inseparably bound to the continent it represents.