AFCON: Teams That Successfully Defended Their Title and Repeated As Africa Cup of Nations Champions

• Egypt won the first two editions of the AFCON in 1957 and 1959
• Ghana and Cameroon were the next teams to win back-to-back titles
• Egypt made AFCON history, winning three titles in a row from 2006 to 2010

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is finally upon us.

Senegal enter the tournament as one of the favourites, with the Teranga Lions looking to win back-to-back AFCON championships.

Sports Brief looks at the teams that successfully defended their titles in this prestigious event.

AFCON Back-to-Back Champions

Egypt (1957 and 1959)

Egypt were the first team to repeat as AFCON champions, but they did so in unique circumstances.

They won the first-ever Africa Cup of Nations in 1957, beating Ethiopia 4-0 in the final. Ad-Diba starred for Egypt in that championship match, scoring all of their goals in the rout.

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The United Arab Republic was formed in 1958, with Egypt and Syria joining forces to create a sovereign state.

They competed in the 1959 AFCON and won the crown, beating Sudan 2-1 in the final. Essam Baheeg scored twice in that contest, including a goal in the 89th minute that sealed their victory.

Ghana (1963 and 1965)

Ghana became the second team in AFCON history to win back-to-back titles, capturing the championship in 1963 and 1965.

The Black Stars sent the home fans into a frenzy in 1963, beating Sudan 3-0 in the final to win their first AFCON title.

Edward Aggrey-Fynn opened the scoring with a penalty in the 62nd minute before Edward Acquah sealed the win for Ghana with a late double.

They successfully defended their title in 1965, beating hosts Tunisia 3-2 in the final.

Frank Odoi scored twice in the championship game, including the match-winner in the 96th minute.

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Cameroon (2000 and 2002)

Cameroon became the third team in AFCON history to win back-to-back championships, lifting the title in 2000 and 2002.

The Indomitable Lions won their third AFCON title in 2000, beating Nigeria in a dramatic penalty shootout in the final, per The Guardian.

Cameroon looked like they were on their way to an easy victory in the final after storming to a 2-0 lead in the first half thanks to Samuel Eto’O and Patrick M’Boma.

Nigeria battled back, however, with Raphael Chukwu and Jay-Jay Okocha scoring the goals that knotted the score at 2-2.

Cameroon held their nerve in the shootout, though, beating the Super Eagles 4-3 on penalties to win the crown.

They successfully defended their championship in 2002, beating Senegal in yet another penalty shootout in the final.

The match went to a shootout after both teams failed to find the back of the net in regulation and extra time.

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Cameroon showed their championship experience, defeating the Teranga Lions 3-2 on penalties.

Egypt (2006, 2008, and 2010)

Egypt became the first team in AFCON history to win three consecutive titles, accomplishing the feat with their championship run from 2006 to 2010.

Egypt won their fifth AFCON title in 2006, beating Ivory Coast 4-2 in a penalty shootout in the final.

They repeated as champions in 2008, defeating Cameroon 1-0 in the final. Mohamed Aboutrika starred in that contest, scoring the game’s lone goal in the 77th minute.

They made it three titles in a row in 2010, beating Ghana 1-0 in the final, per FIFA.com. Gedo broke the Black Stars’ hearts, netting a goal in the 85th minute to hand Egypt their seventh AFCON championship.

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Champs that failed to defend AFCON title

Sports Brief recently reported on the defending champions that crashed out in the group stage of the AFCON.

Thirteen teams suffered this cruel fate in the tournament.

Senegal will be hoping their title defence at the 2023 AFCON will not end this way.