AFCON: Nations that have hosted and won the title on home soil

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) remains a peculiar tournament in the continent in terms of competitiveness and drama unfolding.

Across its 34 AFCON editions till date, so far there have been 15 different countries running out as winners.

However, only eight of these referred sides have shown substance to lift this esteemed trophy on home soil in front of their own fans.

The 2023 AFCON final has already ensured,no new side will achieve this feat to extend that number. As such, here’s a run-down of the teams in this elite pack.

Egypt

Africa’s most successful footballing nation with 7 AFCON titles to date across 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010. The Pharoahs first triumph as host nations came over Sudan in the 1959 edition.

In 1986, they ran past the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon for a second before finally putting the Ivorian national team in their place in the 2006 final. 

Ghana

The Black Stars of Ghana have been African champions on four different occasions losing the finals however for a record breaking 5 times so far.

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Their first 2 AFCON titles came in front of the Ghanaian faithful. Ghana’s first AFCON appearance was marked with a final victory over Sudan in 1963 and the second was the 2-0 triumph over Uganda in 1978.

Nigeria

Segun Odegbami’s brace either side of a Muda Lawal goal won the Green Eagles their first ever title in front of home fans at the National stadium, Surulere.

Following the 1980 victory over Algeria, the Super Eagles next attempt as hosts ended in a narrow shootout loss to Cameroon in the 2000 edition.

Tunisia

The Carthage Eagles defeated North African neighbours Morocco 2-1 to secure the 2004 AFCON title.

The previous times of asking as hosts in the 1965 and 1994 editions didn’t end in successful berths for the Tunisian national team.

South Africa

The Bafana Bafana of South Africa marked their first ever continental triumph on home soil with a 2-0 victory over Morocco in the 1996 final.

Hosting again in 2013, the tournament ended in a 3rd title for the Stephen Keshi led Nigeria.

Sudan

Seven years after losing the AFCON final to the Black Stars of Ghana, Sudan gained their revenge.

Their lone goal victory in the 1970 final handed them their first victory in front of home fans. 

Algeria

The Fennec foxes have taken the Afcon title on two occasions. Most recently in 2019 and earlier in 1990 when they went past Nigeria to clinch their first title.

This victory ensuing that their first ever continental triumph came in front of their very own.

Ethiopia

Ethiopia was regarded as one of the strongest names in the earlier editions of the tournament.

Taking center stage to get past the United Arab Republic via a 4-2 margin in 1962 when they first hosted. Their succeeding 2 campaigns as hosts in 1968 and 1976 however left little to be desired.