AFCON Classics: The Greatest Matches In Africa Cup Of Nations History

‎The Africa Cup of Nations takes centre stage again this Sunday as Morocco hosts the 2025 finals, opening a fresh chapter in the rich history of Africa’s premier football tournament.

‎First played in 1957, the competition has evolved into far more than a sporting event.

‎When Morocco and Comoros walk out in Rabat to kick off the tournament, they will be contesting the 786th match in Africa Cup of Nations history, part of the 35th edition of the championship.

‎From the previous 785 games, 562 have produced outright winners, while 223 ended all square, statistics that only hint at the drama, chaos, and brilliance that have defined the competition over nearly seven decades.

‎Across generations, certain matches have transcended results to become symbols of what the Africa Cup of Nations represents.

‎Comebacks, shocks, record-breaking performances, and historic triumphs have ensured the tournament’s legacy remains as rich as any in world football.

‎A Final for the Ages: Ethiopia vs Egypt, 1962

‎One of the earliest classics came in the 1962 final in Addis Ababa, where hosts Ethiopia faced holders Egypt.

‎Ethiopia trailed for much of the match and appeared destined for heartbreak until Zeleke Ghirma equalised in the 74th minute. Egypt responded almost instantly to restore its lead, seemingly sealing the title.

‎Ethiopia’s talisman, Worku Mengistou, struck to force extra time and decisively shift the momentum of the contest. In the additional period, Ethiopia seized control as Italo Vassalo and Mengistou completed a stunning comeback.

‎The victory delivered the nation’s first and only continental crown, sparking celebrations that still echo through AFCON history.

‎Goals Galore in Kumasi: Egypt vs Nigeria, 1963

‎The highest-scoring match in Africa Cup of Nations history unfolded a year later in Kumasi, where Egypt overwhelmed Nigeria 6-3 in a Group B encounter.

‎Egypt were ruthless in the first half, racing into a 4-0 lead with Hassan Shazli and Ibrahim Reda each scoring twice.

‎Nigeria showed late resistance after the break, but Shazli completed a stunning four-goal haul as Egypt repeatedly punished defensive lapses. The match remains a benchmark for attacking football in the tournament.

‎Laurent Pokou’s Golden Night: Ivory Coast vs Ethiopia, 1970

‎Khartoum witnessed an individual performance for the ages in 1970 as the Ivory Coast demolished Ethiopia 6-1 in the group stage.

‎After Losseni Diomande opened the scoring, Laurent Pokou took centre stage, netting five goals to set a Cup of Nations record that still stands. Pokou scored four times in the final half hour alone, underlining his devastating finishing.

‎Although the Ivory Coast eventually finished fourth, Pokou’s eight-goal tournament remains legendary.

‎Nigeria Announce Themselves: Nigeria vs Algeria, 1980

‎Nigeria’s rise to continental dominance was confirmed in Lagos in 1980 with a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria in the final.

‎Playing in front of an expectant home crowd, the Super Eagles struck early through Segun Odegbami after just two minutes. Odegbami added a second before half-time, while Muda Lawal completed the scoring.

‎It was Nigeria’s first Africa Cup of Nations title and a defining moment in the nation’s football history.

‎A Statement Opening: Algeria vs Nigeria, 1990

‎Hosts Algeria made an emphatic start to the 1990 tournament by thrashing Nigeria 5-1 in Algiers.

‎Rabah Madjer and Djamel Menad both scored twice, with Djamel Amani adding a late fifth to complete a stunning performance.

‎The result sent a clear message to the rest of the field, and although Nigeria gained revenge by reaching the final, Algeria edged a tight rematch 1-0 to lift the trophy on home soil.

‎Hosts Stunned: Tunisia vs Mali, 1994

‎The 1994 finals opened with one of the tournament’s most shocking upsets as Mali defeated hosts Tunisia 2-0 at the El Menzah Stadium.

‎Making their first finals appearance in 22 years, Mali played without fear. Fernand Coulibaly’s opener silenced the crowd, and Modibo Sidibe doubled the lead before half-time.

‎Tunisia never recovered, and the defeat set the tone for a turbulent campaign for the hosts.

‎A Comeback for the History Books: DR Congo vs Burkina Faso, 1998

‎Ouagadougou was the stage for a breathtaking bronze-medal match in 1998, where DR Congo and hosts Burkina Faso played out a scarcely believable 4-4 draw.

‎Burkina Faso led 3-0 and later 4-1 with just minutes remaining. What followed was extraordinary.

‎DR Congo scored three times late on through Banza Kasongo, Mbuilua Tondelua, and Lokenge Mungongo to force penalties, which they went on to win in a dramatic conclusion.

‎The Greatest Fightback: Angola vs Mali, 2010

‎The most famous comeback in Africa Cup of Nations history arrived in the opening match of the 2010 tournament.

‎Hosts Angola led Mali 4-0 with just 15 minutes remaining at the Estadio 11 de Novembro, seemingly cruising to victory. But Mali produced an astonishing revival.

‎Seydou Keita scored twice, Frederic Kanoute added another, and Mustapha Yatabare struck deep into stoppage time to snatch a 4-4 draw, leaving the stadium in disbelief.

‎A Giant Falls: Ghana vs Comoros, 2021

‎Few results encapsulate AFCON’s unpredictability better than Comoros’ 3-2 victory over Ghana in 2021.

‎Tournament favourites Ghana, armed with a squad destined for the 2022 World Cup, suffered a shock group-stage exit at the hands of debutants Comoros.

‎El Fardou Ben Mohamed netted the island nation’s first-ever AFCON goal before Ahmed Mogni added a second, and although Ghana battled back to draw level, Comoros refused to relent.

‎Mogni struck again late on to secure a historic victory and propel the minnows into the knockout stages.

‎A Shock Heard Across Africa: Ivory Coast vs Equatorial Guinea, 2023

‎The biggest upset in modern AFCON history came in 2023 as Equatorial Guinea stunned hosts Ivory Coast 4-0 in the group stage.

‎Emilio Nsue struck twice to maintain his remarkable scoring run, with Pablo Gannet and Yannick Buyla also on target in a commanding performance. The emphatic victory saw Equatorial Guinea finish as group winners and sent the hosts into turmoil.

‎However, the Ivory Coast would later stage an extraordinary recovery and ultimately lift the trophy in one of AFCON’s most dramatic turnarounds.