AFCON Iconic Moments: Legends and Top Scorers of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations

Sadio Mané and Samuel Eto’o have etched their names in the annals of football through their remarkable performances in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

With the upcoming AFCON Côte d’Ivoire 2023, let’s revisit eight memorable moments and narratives from the past 33 editions of this prestigious tournament.

ALSO READ: Winners of the Africa Cup of Nations from 1957 to 2021 – Egypt and Cameroon Emerge as Top Winners

Winners of the Africa Cup of Nations from 1957 to 2021 – Egypt and Cameroon Emerge as Top Winners

AFCON Iconic Moments and Legends of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations

1957: The Inaugural AFCON

Hosted by Sudan, the first AFCON saw only three teams – Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan – compete. Egypt’s Raafat Attia scored the first goal of the tournament, and Mohamed Diab Al-Attar, known as Ad-Diba, secured Egypt’s victory with a hat-trick in the final against Ethiopia, marking Egypt’s first of seven record AFCON titles.

1974: Ndaye Mulamba’s Record-Setting Performance

Ndaye Mulamba from Zaire (now DR Congo) made history by scoring twice in the AFCON final and repeating the feat in a replay against Zambia. His nine goals remain a record for a single AFCON edition.

That year, Zaire also qualified for the World Cup but faced challenges, including government neglect and financial issues.

1993-94: Zambia’s Resilience

In 1994, Zambia’s team, reformed after a tragic plane crash in 1993, reached the AFCON final. Led by Kalusha Bwalya, they were narrowly defeated by Nigeria. In 2012, Zambia achieved an emotional victory close to the crash site in Gabon.

2000: Cameroon’s Historic Double

Cameroon, led by Samuel Eto’o, achieved a rare feat by winning both the AFCON and Olympic gold in the same year, a first for an African nation.

2000-2010: The Eto’o Era

Eto’o became the tournament’s all-time top scorer with 18 goals, participating in six editions and leading Cameroon to two titles.

2010: Egypt’s Dominance

Ahmed Hassan and Essam El-Hadary from Egypt won a record four AFCON titles, including a streak from 2006 to 2010. El-Hadary set another record as the oldest player in AFCON at 44 years.

2012 and 2015: Coach Hervé Renard’s Achievements:

Renard became the first manager to win AFCON with two different nations – Zambia in 2012 and Côte d’Ivoire in 2015.

2021: Senegal’s Historic Win:

Led by Sadio Mané, Senegal won their first-ever AFCON, overcoming past disappointments and cementing Mané’s status as a top African footballer.

These highlights showcase the tournament’s rich history, featuring remarkable players, teams, and matches that have shaped African football.”

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Top Scorers of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has witnessed a plethora of talented players ascending its podium to receive the golden boot, an accolade earned for their exceptional goal-scoring feats while representing their national teams.

As we approach the kickoff of AFCON 2023 in Cote D’Ivoire, just under a week away, let’s delve into the history books to explore the top 10 all-time highest goal scorers in the history of AFCON.

• Samuel Eto’o – 18 goals (Cameroon)

2. Laurent Poukou – 14 goals (Ivory Coast)

3. Rashidi Yekini – Nigeria – 13 goals (Nigeria)

4. Hassan El-Shazly – 12 goals (Egypt)

5. Patrick Mboma – 11 goals (Cameroon)

6. Hossam Hassan – 11 goals (Egypt)

7. Didier Drogba – 11 goals (Ivory Coast)

8. Ndaye Mulamba – 10 goals (DR Congo)

9. Francileudo dos Santos – 10 goals (Tunisia)

10. Andre Ayew – 10 goals (Ghana)