AFCON: Trivia, Records and Milestones worth knowing

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a pinnacle of football prowess on the continent, has seen its fair share of monumental achievements etched into its history. From inaugural victories to remarkable winning streaks, here’s a comprehensive look at the tournament’s significant records and standout moments over the years.

South Africa’s 2006 Exit: No Wins, Draws, or Goals

In a unique occurrence, South Africa made an unprecedented exit from the AFCON in 2006, leaving the tournament without a win, draw, or goal—a statistic that remains unparalleled to this day.

Cameroon’s Defensive Dominance

The 2002 edition saw Cameroon showcasing defensive brilliance, setting the record for the most clean sheets in a single tournament, tallying an impressive six shutouts.

Nigeria’s Podium Triumphs

Nigeria boasts an exceptional record on the AFCON podium, clinching a remarkable fifteen podium finishes—three gold, four silver, and eight bronze medals—solidifying their consistent performance over the years.

Hosts Triumph in Debut Appearances

Ghana in 1963 and South Africa in 1996 stand as the only teams to have both hosted and emerged victorious in their debut appearances at the tournament, etching their names in the tournament’s history books.

Egypt’s Unrivaled Legacy

Egypt remains an indomitable force in AFCON history, holding several records. They’ve played the most tournament matches, with 107 appearances, and secured three consecutive tournament victories from 2006 to 2010. With ten final appearances and seven wins, Egypt’s dominance on the continent is unquestionable.

Tunisia’s Unbroken Streak

Tunisia boasts the longest streak of consecutive appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations, having featured in sixteen tournaments from 1994 to 2023, showcasing their enduring presence on the continental stage.

Historic Milestones and Spectacular Matches

The tournament witnessed monumental matches throughout its history, including Egypt’s 6-3 victory over Nigeria in 1963, the longest penalty shootout between Ivory Coast and Cameroon in 2006, and Ivory Coast’s commanding 6-1 win against Ethiopia in 1970, marking the highest winning margin in a single game.

Records Shattered and Unbeatable Streaks

The Egypt 2019 tournament, under the 24-team format, saw an incredible 102 goals—the most in a single edition. Egypt also held an unmatched 24-match unbeaten streak from 2004 to 2017, a record that culminated in a 1-2 defeat to Cameroon in the finals.

End of an Era: Egypt’s Penalty Shoot-out Streak

Egypt’s dominance in penalty shoot-outs came to an end after a remarkable 35-year run, marked by six consecutive shoot-out victories. However, their streak concluded in 2022 with a 4-2 defeat to Senegal.

Unforgettable Attendance

In a monumental moment, Cairo Stadium witnessed the highest attendance of 120,000 spectators during the 1986 clash between Egypt and Cameroon, underscoring the fervor and passion for the beautiful game on the African continent.

The Africa Cup of Nations continues to be a stage for extraordinary achievements, defining legacies, and moments etched into the annals of football history, showcasing the prowess and passion that unites nations across Africa.