Since 2000, the Africa Cup of Nations has given African football some unforgettable champions. Cameroon opened the century with back-to-back titles, Egypt dominated the late 2000s with three consecutive trophies, while countries such as Zambia and Senegal celebrated historic first AFCON wins.
But who won the last AFCON, and which countries have been the most successful since 2000?
As of September 2026, Morocco is officially recognised by CAF as the winner of AFCON 2025 following a March 2026 ruling that changed the result of the final against Senegal. Senegal has appealed that decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), so the status of the 2025 title could still change.
Below is the complete AFCON winners list since 2000, including runners-up, final scores, recent champions and the countries with the most Africa Cup of Nations titles.
Who Won the Last AFCON?
Morocco is currently recognised by CAF as the winner of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
However, the answer needs some explanation.
The AFCON 2025 final was played between Morocco and Senegal in Rabat on January 18, 2026. Senegal won the match 1-0 after extra time on the field, but the game included a controversial period in which Senegal temporarily left the pitch.
On March 17, 2026, the CAF Appeal Board ruled that Senegal had forfeited the final under Article 84 of the tournament regulations. CAF consequently recorded the match as a 3-0 victory for Morocco.
Senegal subsequently appealed to CAS, asking for CAF’s decision to be overturned and for Senegal to be declared AFCON champion. CAS officially registered the appeal on March 25, 2026.
As of September 18, 2026, the case remains unresolved. CAS currently lists the hearing for October 8, 2026.
So, for now:
- Official CAF winner of AFCON 2025: Morocco
- Winner on the field before CAF’s ruling: Senegal
This article should therefore be updated if CAS changes the decision.
Full AFCON Winners List Since 2000
Here is the complete Africa Cup of Nations winners list from 2000 onward.
| AFCON Edition | Winner | Runner-Up | Final Result |
| 2000 | Cameroon | Nigeria | 2-2; Cameroon won 4-3 on penalties |
| 2002 | Cameroon | Senegal | 0-0; Cameroon won 3-2 on penalties |
| 2004 | Tunisia | Morocco | Tunisia won 2-1 |
| 2006 | Egypt | Côte d’Ivoire | 0-0; Egypt won 4-2 on penalties |
| 2008 | Egypt | Cameroon | Egypt won 1-0 |
| 2010 | Egypt | Ghana | Egypt won 1-0 |
| 2012 | Zambia | Côte d’Ivoire | 0-0; Zambia won 8-7 on penalties |
| 2013 | Nigeria | Burkina Faso | Nigeria won 1-0 |
| 2015 | Côte d’Ivoire | Ghana | 0-0; Côte d’Ivoire won 9-8 on penalties |
| 2017 | Cameroon | Egypt | Cameroon won 2-1 |
| 2019 | Algeria | Senegal | Algeria won 1-0 |
| 2021 | Senegal | Egypt | 0-0; Senegal won 4-2 on penalties |
| 2023 | Côte d’Ivoire | Nigeria | Côte d’Ivoire won 2-1 |
| 2025 | Morocco* | Senegal | Officially recorded 3-0 by forfeit |
CAF’s historical records confirm the champions from 2000 through the 2023 edition, including Cameroon’s consecutive wins, Egypt’s three-title run and Côte d’Ivoire’s 2023 triumph.
For AFCON 2025, Senegal won the final 1-0 after extra time on the pitch, but CAF’s Appeal Board later declared a forfeit and recorded Morocco as 3-0 winners. Senegal’s CAS appeal remains pending.
Who Won the Last Five AFCON Tournaments?
Looking only at the most recent editions gives a good picture of how competitive African football has become.
1. AFCON 2025 – Morocco
Morocco is the current officially recognised 2025 AFCON winner after CAF’s Appeal Board awarded the hosts a 3-0 victory by forfeit over Senegal.
The competition itself was officially called AFCON 2025, even though the final was played in January 2026. Senegal’s challenge to the ruling is still before CAS.
2. AFCON 2023 – Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire produced one of the most dramatic title runs in AFCON history.
After struggling during the group stage, the host nation recovered to reach the final, where it defeated Nigeria 2-1 in Abidjan.
William Troost-Ekong gave Nigeria the lead before Franck Kessié equalized and Sébastien Haller scored the winner.
3. AFCON 2021 – Senegal
Senegal won its first Africa Cup of Nations title by defeating Egypt in the final.
The match finished 0-0 after extra time, before Senegal won the penalty shootout 4-2, with Sadio Mané scoring the decisive kick.
4. AFCON 2019 – Algeria
Algeria defeated Senegal 1-0 in the 2019 final in Cairo.
The victory gave Algeria its second AFCON title and its first since 1990.
5. AFCON 2017 – Cameroon
Cameroon came from behind to defeat Egypt 2-1 in the 2017 final.
Nicolas Nkoulou equalised after Mohamed Elneny had put Egypt ahead before Vincent Aboubakar scored the winning goal late in the match.
That means the last five AFCON winners, based on CAF’s current records, are:
- Morocco – 2025
- Côte d’Ivoire – 2023
- Senegal – 2021
- Algeria – 2019
- Cameroon – 2017
Which Country Has Won the Most AFCON Titles Since 2000?
Two countries stand above the rest when only tournaments from 2000 onward are considered.
Egypt and Cameroon have each won three AFCON titles since 2000.
| Country | Titles Since 2000 | Winning Years |
| Cameroon | 3 | 2000, 2002, 2017 |
| Egypt | 3 | 2006, 2008, 2010 |
| Côte d’Ivoire | 2 | 2015, 2023 |
| Tunisia | 1 | 2004 |
| Zambia | 1 | 2012 |
| Nigeria | 1 | 2013 |
| Algeria | 1 | 2019 |
| Senegal | 1 | 2021 |
| Morocco* | 1 | 2025 |
Cameroon began the century by winning consecutive tournaments in 2000 and 2002 before returning to the top in 2017.
Egypt’s period of dominance was even more concentrated, with the Pharaohs winning three consecutive AFCON titles in 2006, 2008 and 2010. CAF records this as the competition’s longest consecutive title-winning run.
Which Country Has Won the Most AFCON Titles Overall?
Egypt has won more Africa Cup of Nations titles than any other country.
The Pharaohs have lifted the trophy seven times:
- 1957
- 1959
- 1986
- 1998
- 2006
- 2008
- 2010
CAF lists Egypt as the tournament’s record champion, ahead of Cameroon, which has won five titles.
Ghana has four AFCON championships, while Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire have three each.
Egypt’s most dominant period came between 2006 and 2010, when the country became the first, and so far only, nation to win three consecutive Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
How Many AFCON Titles Has Nigeria Won?
Nigeria has won the Africa Cup of Nations three times.
The Super Eagles’ titles came in:
- 1980 – Nigeria
- 1994 – Nigeria
- 2013 – South Africa
Nigeria’s only AFCON championship since 2000 came in 2013.
The Super Eagles defeated Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final in Johannesburg, with Sunday Mba scoring the decisive goal. Stephen Keshi coached the team, becoming one of the rare figures to win AFCON both as a player and as a coach. CAF records Keshi as a champion with Nigeria as a player in 1994 and as coach in 2013.
Nigeria has also come close on several occasions.
The Super Eagles were runners-up to Cameroon in 2000 after losing the final on penalties and finished second again in 2023, when hosts Côte d’Ivoire came from behind to win 2-1.
So, anyone searching for how many AFCON has Nigeria won can remember the simple answer:
Nigeria has three AFCON titles: 1980, 1994 and 2013.
Why Do AFCON Tournament Years Sometimes Look Confusing?
One reason searches for AFCON winners by year can become confusing is that several recent tournaments were played in a different calendar year from the edition’s official name.
1. AFCON 2021 Was Played in 2022
The tournament retained the official name AFCON 2021, although it was eventually played in January and February 2022.
Senegal won that edition.
2. AFCON 2023 Was Played in 2024
The Côte d’Ivoire tournament was officially AFCON 2023, but the matches took place in January and February 2024.
That is why people often search for “who won AFCON 2024?”
The answer they are usually looking for is Côte d’Ivoire, which won the 2023 edition when the final was played on February 11, 2024.
3. AFCON 2025 Finished in 2026
AFCON 2025 was scheduled from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026 in Morocco.
So someone searching “who won AFCON 2026?” may actually be asking who won AFCON 2025.
Based on CAF’s current ruling, that answer is Morocco, although Senegal’s appeal is still pending.
Understanding the official edition year is therefore important when looking through a list of previous AFCON winners.
AFCON Winners Since 2000: Key Records
A few records stand out when looking through the AFCON winners list since 2000.
Most titles since 2000: Egypt and Cameroon, with three each.
Most consecutive titles: Egypt, which won in 2006, 2008 and 2010.
First-time champions since 2000: Tunisia in 2004, Zambia in 2012 and Senegal in 2021.
Nigeria’s only title since 2000: 2013.
Longest penalty shootout among finals since 2000: Côte d’Ivoire’s 9-8 shootout victory over Ghana in the 2015 final.
Most AFCON titles overall: Egypt, with seven.
The period also shows how difficult sustained dominance has become. Egypt’s three consecutive championships remain exceptional, with eight different countries winning at least one AFCON from 2000 through 2023.
Following Future AFCON Matches
Looking back at previous AFCON winners can also make it easier to follow future tournaments and understand the teams competing for the next title. Football fans can keep track of fixtures, team news, results, form and other match information before deciding how they want to follow a game.
For those who also follow football betting markets, Goka provides an online platform where users can explore football and other sports betting options. Available markets can vary from one match to another, so it is important to check the specific selections, odds and settlement rules before placing a wager.
Historical records can provide useful context, but they do not guarantee future results. If you choose to bet on football, set a budget you can afford to lose, understand the market you are selecting and avoid chasing losses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Morocco is currently recognized by CAF as the AFCON 2025 winner. Senegal won the final 1-0 after extra time on the pitch, but CAF later declared Senegal to have forfeited the match and recorded a 3-0 victory for Morocco. Senegal has appealed to CAS.
Côte d’Ivoire won AFCON 2023 after defeating Nigeria 2-1 in the final. Although officially called the 2023 tournament, it was played in early 2024.
Cameroon won AFCON 2000 after drawing 2-2 with Nigeria in the final and winning the penalty shootout 4-3.
Egypt holds the record with seven AFCON championships, won in 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010.
Nigeria has won AFCON three times: 1980, 1994 and 2013.
Final Thoughts on AFCON Winners Since 2000
The AFCON winners since 2000 tell the story of both dominance and change in African football.
Cameroon started the century with consecutive championships, Egypt followed with its remarkable three-title run, while Zambia, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Algeria and Senegal have all added memorable victories of their own.
As for who won the last AFCON, CAF currently recognises Morocco as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations champion following its March 2026 ruling on the final against Senegal. Senegal’s appeal means that particular entry in the AFCON history books is still subject to change.
For now, Morocco sits at the end of the AFCON winners list since 2000, while Egypt remains the most successful nation in the competition’s overall history with seven titles.