The most important Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) stats reveal that Egypt is the most successful nation in tournament history with 7 titles, while Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o remains the all-time leading goalscorer with 18 goals. The most recent tournament, AFCON 2025 held in Morocco, saw Senegal crowned champions for the second time after defeating the hosts 1–0 in a dramatic final on January 18, 2026. This guide provides a deep dive into nearly 70 years of footballing data, covering everything from individual player records and team milestones to the latest 2025 tournament statistics.
In this comprehensive analysis, you will find authoritative data on the legendary “Pharaohs” of Egypt, the goal-scoring prowess of icons like Laurent Pokou and Rashidi Yekini, and the tactical evolution of African football. Whether you are looking for the latest 2025 Golden Boot winner or the historical win-loss ratios of the continent’s top teams, this scannable resource covers every essential metric of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Most Successful Nations in History
Egypt stands alone at the top of the AFCON hierarchy, having secured the trophy in 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, and 2010. Their unprecedented “treble” between 2006 and 2010 remains the only time a nation has won three consecutive titles, solidifying their status as the continent’s historical powerhouse.
Cameroon followed closely with 5 titles, demonstrating significant dominance during the 1980s and early 2000s. Ghana (4 titles), Nigeria (3 titles), and Ivory Coast (3 titles) round out the top five most successful nations, though Ghana has not lifted the trophy since 1982 despite reaching multiple finals since then.
Championship Leaderboard
| Nation | Titles Won | Years Won |
| Egypt | 7 | 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010 |
| Cameroon | 5 | 1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, 2017 |
| Ghana | 4 | 1963, 1965, 1978, 1982 |
| Nigeria | 3 | 1980, 1994, 2013 |
| Ivory Coast | 3 | 1992, 2015, 2023 |
| Senegal | 2 | 2021, 2025 |
| Algeria | 2 | 1990, 2019 |
| DR Congo | 2 | 1968, 1974 |
All-Time Leading Goalscorers
The individual scoring record is held by Samuel Eto’o, who netted 18 goals for Cameroon across six tournament appearances. His clinical finishing helped the “Indomitable Lions” maintain their status as a global force and earned him the top spot in the record books in 2008.
Laurent Pokou of the Ivory Coast held the record for over three decades with 14 goals, including a legendary five-goal performance in a single match against Ethiopia in 1970. Other notable high scorers include Nigeria’s Rashidi Yekini (13 goals) and Egypt’s Hassan El-Shazly (12 goals), who is the only player to score multiple hat-tricks in AFCON history.
Top 5 Goalscorers
- Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon): 18 goals
- Laurent Pokou (Ivory Coast): 14 goals
- Rashidi Yekini (Nigeria): 13 goals
- Hassan El-Shazly (Egypt): 12 goals
- Patrick Mboma (Cameroon) / Hossam Hassan (Egypt) / Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast): 11 goals each
2025 AFCON Tournament Stats
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations concluded in early 2026 with Senegal defeating Morocco 1–0 in the final. Morocco’s Brahim Díaz claimed the Golden Boot with 5 goals, narrowly beating out Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen, who both finished with 4 goals.
Defensively, the tournament was defined by goalkeeping excellence. Edouard Mendy (Senegal) and Yassine Bounou (Morocco) shared the record for the most clean sheets, each recording 5 shutouts during the competition. This edition also broke attendance records, with over 1.1 million fans attending matches by the end of the quarterfinal stage.
2025 Key Individual Performers
- Golden Boot: Brahim Díaz (Morocco) – 5 Goals
- Top Assists: Ademola Lookman (Nigeria) – 4 Assists
- Most Clean Sheets: Edouard Mendy (Senegal) & Yassine Bounou (Morocco) – 5 each
- Most Player of the Match Awards: Sadio Mané (Senegal)
Appearance and Match Records
Egypt holds the record for the most tournament appearances, having participated in 27 editions of the Cup of Nations. They have also played the most matches (118) and recorded the most wins (64) in the history of the competition.
Individually, the record for most matches played is shared by Rigobert Song (Cameroon) and André Ayew (Ghana), both with 36 appearances. Meanwhile, Senegal’s Sadio Mané set a new milestone during the 2025 final, becoming the player with the most starts in AFCON history with 29 starts.
Longevity Milestones
- Most Tournament Appearances (Nation): Egypt (27)
- Most Matches Played (Player): Rigobert Song & André Ayew (36)
- Oldest Player: Essam El-Hadary (Egypt) – 44 years, 21 days
- Oldest Goalscorer: Hossam Hassan (Egypt) – 39 years, 174 days
- Most Consecutive Appearances (Nation): Tunisia (17 tournaments, 1994–2025)
Coaching and Managerial Feats
Only two men have won the Africa Cup of Nations as both a player and a coach. Mahmoud El-Gohary achieved this with Egypt (1959/1998), and Stephen Keshi did so with Nigeria (1994/2013), cementing their legacies as “Greats of the Game.”
Hervé Renard holds a unique distinction as the only coach to win the tournament with two different nations. He led Zambia to a historic victory in 2012 and followed it with a title for Ivory Coast in 2015. Additionally, Charles Gyamfi (Ghana) and Hassan Shehata (Egypt) share the record for most titles won by a coach, with three each.
Practical Information for Fans
If you are planning to attend future editions of the Africa Cup of Nations, such as the upcoming 2027 tournament in East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania), here is what you need to know:
- Tournament Dates: Typically held between January and February, though the 2025 edition ran from December 2025 to January 2026.
- Ticket Prices: Prices vary by stage; group stage tickets often start around $5–$10 USD, while final tickets can exceed $100 USD.
- How to Get There: Major host cities like Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, and Casablanca have international airports with shuttle services to stadiums.
- What to Expect: Vibrant fan zones, high security, and intense heat in some regions.
- Tips for Visitors: Apply for e-visas well in advance, keep digital copies of your match tickets, and stay updated on local health requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has won the most AFCON titles?
Egypt holds the record with 7 titles. They won in 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, and 2010.
Who is the all-time top scorer in AFCON?
Samuel Eto’o of Cameroon is the all-time leading scorer with 18 goals. He is followed by Laurent Pokou of Ivory Coast with 14 goals.
Who won the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations?Senegal won the 2025 AFCON, defeating Morocco 1–0 in the final held in Rabat on January 18, 2026.
What is the record for most goals in a single AFCON tournament?
Ndaye Mulamba (Zaire, now DR Congo) holds the record with 9 goals in the 1974 tournament.
Which player has the most appearances in AFCON history?
Rigobert Song (Cameroon) and André Ayew (Ghana) share the record for most matches played with 36.
Who was the top scorer of the 2025 AFCON?
Brahim Díaz of Morocco was the top scorer of the 2025 tournament with 5 goals.
How often is the Africa Cup of Nations held?
Historically, it has been a biennial (every two years) competition. However, starting in 2028, it is scheduled to move to every four years and be played in even-numbered years.
Who is the oldest player to ever play in an AFCON match?
Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary is the oldest player, appearing in the 2017 final at the age of 44 years and 21 days.
Has any coach won the AFCON with two different teams?
Yes, Hervé Renard won the title with Zambia in 2012 and the Ivory Coast in 2015.
Which nation has hosted the most AFCON tournaments?
Egypt has hosted the tournament the most times, with 5 editions held in the country (1959, 1974, 1986, 2006, and 2019).
What was the largest attendance in AFCON history?
The 2025 edition in Morocco set a new record with over 1.1 million spectators recorded by the conclusion of the quarterfinals.
Final Thoughts
The Africa Cup of Nations stats reflect a tournament that has grown from a three-team exhibition in 1957 to a billion-dollar global spectacle. With Senegal’s recent victory in 2026 and the record-breaking attendance in Morocco, the tournament has proven that African football is not just about individual brilliance but also about tactical maturity and institutional growth. As the competition moves toward its new quadrennial format in 2028, these records serve as a benchmark for the next generation of African stars like Victor Osimhen and Brahim Díaz to chase.
The data shows a narrowing gap between traditional giants like Egypt and rising forces like Senegal and Morocco. This parity ensures that the Africa Cup of Nations will remain one of the most unpredictable and statistically fascinating tournaments in world football for decades to come.
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