The best moments, matches, and goals of all time
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is more than just a football tournament.
Since its inception in 1957, it has become a stage where legends are born, rivalries ignite, and nations experience collective euphoria or heartbreak.
Over decades, AFCON has produced matches that are remembered not merely for the scores but for the emotions, drama, and historical significance they carry.
From spectacular comebacks to penalty shootouts of near-mythical proportions, these games have shaped African football history and left lasting impressions on fans across the continent and the world.
This article revisits five unforgettable AFCON matches that exemplify why the tournament is one of football’s most compelling spectacles.
What Makes an AFCON Match Truly Unforgettable?
Several elements elevate a game from memorable to legendary:
Drama and unpredictability
African football is renowned for its unpredictability. Heavy favourites can crumble, underdogs can rise, and results are never guaranteed until the final whistle.
Emotional intensity
Matches often transcend sport, embodying national pride, personal sacrifice, and historical context. The stakes in AFCON are always immense, whether for a title, qualification, or redemption.
Individual brilliance
Sometimes, a single player defines a match. A breathtaking goal, a match-saving save, or a penalty under intense pressure can turn a player into a national hero.
Legacy and historical context
AFCON is a tournament intertwined with history. Whether a team is avenging past losses, honouring a legacy, or achieving a first-time triumph, the broader context enhances the significance of the match.
With these criteria, the following five matches stand out as pillars of AFCON folklore.
Zambia 0–0 Ivory Coast (2012 Final, Libreville)
Triumph through tragedy
Few matches in football history carry the emotional weight of this final.
The game was played near the site of the 1993 plane crash that claimed the lives of most of Zambia’s national team, a tragedy that still resonates deeply in African football.
The match
Zambia entered the final as underdogs against a star-studded Ivory Coast side featuring Didier Drogba, Yaya Touré, Gervinho, and Kolo Touré.
The game itself was tense, a goalless stalemate over 120 minutes, as both sides struggled to assert dominance.
Drogba famously missed a penalty, but Zambia remained composed.
The match proceeded to a penalty shootout, where Zambia triumphed 8–7, winning their first AFCON title in history.
The victory was more than a sporting achievement; it was a tribute to the players who had died almost two decades earlier, a cathartic moment that resonated worldwide.
Legacy
- Zambia’s victory became a symbol of resilience and redemption.
- Coach Hervé Renard cemented his reputation for guiding underdogs to glory.
- The final is remembered as one of the most emotional sporting events in African history.
Angola 4–4 Mali (2010 Group Stage, Angola)
The greatest comeback in AFCON history
The 2010 AFCON opener was an unforgettable rollercoaster, demonstrating the dramatic unpredictability of African football.
Host nation Angola appeared to have secured a commanding victory, leading 4–0 with only 11 minutes remaining.
The comeback
Mali produced one of the most remarkable recoveries in football history, scoring four goals in the final minutes to equalize 4–4.
The stadium erupted as fans witnessed a comeback that seemed impossible.
Why it’s unforgettable
- The match exemplifies the “never give up” spirit intrinsic to African football.
- It showcased both individual skill and collective determination under intense pressure.
- The late goals became iconic moments replayed across media worldwide.
Legacy
- Angola’s team learned the harsh lesson of complacency.
- Mali’s resilience earned continental respect and inspired future generations.
- The match is cited as a benchmark for dramatic group-stage games in AFCON history.
Ivory Coast 0–0 Ghana (2015 Final, Equatorial Guinea)
A penalty shootout for the ages
The 2015 final featured two of West Africa’s strongest teams: Ivory Coast and Ghana.
After 120 minutes of goalless football, the match culminated in a dramatic penalty shootout.
The shootout
The contest extended to the goalkeepers. Boubacar Barry, Ivory Coast’s second-choice keeper who had faced criticism throughout his career, became the hero.
He saved a penalty from Ghana’s goalkeeper before scoring the decisive spot-kick himself, securing Ivory Coast’s first AFCON title in 23 years.
Why it’s unforgettable
- The final demonstrated the psychological intensity of AFCON penalty shootouts.
- A player widely maligned throughout the tournament became an instant national hero.
- The drama of a goalkeeper taking and scoring the winning penalty was a rare and iconic moment in football history.
Legacy
- Ivory Coast ended a two-decade title drought.
- Boubacar Barry’s legacy was cemented as one of Africa’s greatest penalty heroes.
- The final reinforced the narrative that in AFCON, drama often transcends tactics.
Cameroon 2–2 Nigeria (2000 Final, Lagos)
A frantic, controversial thriller
The 2000 final between Cameroon and Nigeria was a clash of West and Central African giants, played in front of a passionate home crowd in Lagos.
The match
Cameroon raced to a 2–0 lead in the first half through Samuel Eto’o and Patrick M’Boma.
Nigeria, led by the brilliant Jay-Jay Okocha, mounted a stunning comeback, scoring twice to level the game at 2–2.
The match was marked by controversy, including a Nigerian penalty that replays suggested should have counted but was disallowed.
The final outcome was decided by a penalty shootout, with Cameroon winning 4–3.
Why it’s unforgettable
- The match combined high skill, drama, and intense rivalry.
- Nigeria’s fans were devastated by controversial refereeing decisions, amplifying the tension.
- It showcased the raw emotion and unpredictability that make AFCON finals legendary.
Legacy
- Cameroon claimed another AFCON title in a memorable, hard-fought battle.
- The match cemented Eto’o and Okocha as continental icons.
- It remains one of the most talked-about finals in AFCON history.
Zaire 2–2 Zambia (1974 Final Replay, Cairo)
The only AFCON final decided by a replay
The 1974 AFCON final remains unique: it is the only final in the tournament’s history to be decided by a replay.
The first match
Zaire and Zambia played a thrilling initial game that ended 2–2 after extra time, with a last-minute equalizer from Zambia forcing the replay.
The replay
Zaire’s Ndaye Mulamba scored twice to secure a 2–0 victory, setting a single-tournament scoring record that still stands today.
The performance elevated Mulamba to legendary status, and the replay format added historical significance to the outcome.
Why it’s unforgettable
- The drama of two finals in succession was unprecedented.
- Mulamba’s record-breaking individual performance became an AFCON benchmark.
- The match highlighted Zaire’s dominance in 1970s African football.
Legacy
- Zaire claimed its second AFCON title, solidifying its continental legacy.
- Ndaye Mulamba remains one of the tournament’s most celebrated legends.
- The 1974 final replay remains an enduring story in AFCON history books.
Honourable Mentions
While these five matches are iconic, AFCON history is filled with unforgettable moments, including:
- Egypt 4–3 Cameroon (2010 Final) – A tactical and emotional masterpiece.
- Senegal 2–1 Cameroon (2002 Final) – Penalty heartbreak and triumph.
- South Africa 2–1 Burkina Faso (2013 Final) – Host nation glory.
- Algeria 2–1 Nigeria (2019 Semi-Final) – Riyad Mahrez’s last-minute free-kick brilliance.
- Ghana 2–2 Nigeria (2008 Quarter-Final) – Drama and late goals.
The AFCON Legacy
AFCON is more than a competition; it is emotional theatre, national identity, and football artistry.
The tournament produces matches that captivate, inspire, and often transcend the sport.
These five matches are enduring reminders of why Africa’s premier football competition is revered worldwide.
From Zambia’s redemptive victory in 2012 to Angola’s unbelievable comeback against Mali, and from dramatic shootouts to controversial thrillers, AFCON remains the stage for unforgettable football drama.
The stories of these games continue to inspire players, coaches, and fans, proving that the continent’s football heritage is as rich in narrative as it is in talent.
Conclusion
AFCON has gifted African football fans and the global audience moments that are impossible to forget.
These five matches showcase courage, drama, brilliance, controversy, and historical significance, defining the tournament as the heartbeat of African football.
Whether it’s Zambia honoring its fallen heroes, Mali defying the odds, or Ivory Coast triumphing after decades of waiting, AFCON is a tournament where history is made, legends rise, and football transcends the pitch.
