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Success can be measured simply by wins. If you’re going to do it that way, Egypt leads the way. They’ve won seven AFCON tournaments, after all. Or we can talk about Ghana, winning it four times.
But this isn’t just a tally, a Wikipedia article listing silverware. No, in football, it’s often about legend, building a mythology that we carry in our collective memories. Cruyff in 1974, the Dutch machine that ultimately lost against Germany. Or Ronaldo’s Brazil, the mysterious convulsions that led to a 3-0 loss against France. But we also remember victories, of course, with Maradona in ‘86 a famous example.
But back to Africa. Let’s explore the two stories that captured the imagination of all football fans.
An African nation has never won the World Cup. We’re still hoping. But to many, it doesn’t matter. Football isn’t about results, it’s about capturing the imagination. Making history. There are many stories, two of which we highlight.
Then there’s AFCON. It’s a tournament that isn’t about favorites. The beauty is that anyone can win it. Whether you’re Nigerian, Egyptian or South African, you can place bets on live sports, backing your favorites, and have a legitimate hope it’s more than just a pipe dream.
AFCON has been won by fifteen different teams. Six countries are still dreaming of their maiden victory, but otherwise every African nation has witnessed the lifting of the hallowed trophy.
Africa has produced some of the best players in football history, and squads that will always be remembered by fans. No World Cup, but the word yet is key. 2022 showed that Africa is closer than ever.
Cameroon sits second all-time in AFCON performance, winning the tournament five times (1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, 2017). They’ve also finished as runners-up twice, third-place twice, and a single fourth place in 1992.
2017’s edition was particularly sweet, with Cameroon not entering the tournament as favorites (they were a respectable 7-1 with most bookies). Ivory Coast, Senegal, Algeria, Egypt, and Ghana were all seen as more likely to win AFCON.
Yet Cameroon did what it so often does: beat expectations. They entered the final as underdogs, and for long it looked like it would play out as expected. Arsenal’s Elneny scored the opener, with a Mo Salah assist setting up Egypt’s goal. Yet Cameroon kept faith, and it paid off. N’Koulou equalized with just half an hour to go, and the match started to swing.
Just as the match started to go towards extra time, Cameroon got their second goal from substitute Vincent Aboubakar. It sealed the match, confirming a comeback win and the country’s fifth title after 15 years without result.
But perhaps the most memorable Cameroon tournament run happened when they didn’t win anything at all. Time capsule time, running it back all the way to 1990. It was a World Cup that did not feature the best football; no Clockwork Orange, no Zico’s Brazil. Low scoring and edgy play. Yet the 1990 World Cup is etched in the memory of many, with classic matchups, many a campione (what Italians call legends of the game), and a historic run from an African nation.
The first match was already one that made it all worth it. At just their second World Cup, Roger Milla’s squad beat the reigning World Cup winners, beating the best player in football and his Argentina, Maradona not able to do anything about the 1-0 loss. The 2-1 against Romania secured their place in the second round, where they would meet the exciting Colombians.
Yet a Rene Higuita mistake ensured we would see Milla’s memorable dance once more, with a 2-1 win sending Cameroon to the quarterfinals. The country became the second-favorite of all football fans, and even though they’d ultimately fall against England, history was engraved, sealed, forever in our hearts.
To some, this may be a little bit of a surprise entry. Until 2022, Morocco had made out of the first round at a World Cup just once (in 1986). And at AFCON, 14th place all-time, winning the tournament all the way back in 1976.
And then that magical World Cup in Qatar run happened. The tournament that put Morocco into the annals of best teams ever to do it. No, we’re not talking about Messi’s historic first-ever win (although that was pretty special, too!). For Morocco, it was a memorable success on behalf of their entire continent, for it was the very first time an African nation reached the semifinals at a World Cup.
The country didn’t expect much going in, nor did many analysts or fans. They were in a tough group with Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, after all. The first result gave hope, with a respectable 0-0 draw against Modric’s Croatia. Then the first ‘big win’ that got people in a frenzy: 2-0 against pre-tournament favorites Belgium. With a 2-1 victory over Canada, Morocco reached the second round. Already further than expected.
In the round of 16, the mighty Spain. Surely this would be the end of the talented but inexperienced team? After a cagey 0-0, the Spaniards missed all of their penalties, quarterfinals. Cristiano Ronaldo. Bernardo Silva. Bruno Fernandes. 2016 Euro winners, Portugal.
Morocco put on a brilliant display, at times dominating the Portuguese in midfield. The country’s threat from the air eventually paid off, with goalkeeper Costa arguably making a mistake by coming out for Attiyat Allah’s cross and clashing with his own teammate, ultimately resulting in an easy chance for En-Nesyri.
And then, holding on, with a stalwart defense that only conceded once in five matches. Resolute, organized, inspiring. Morocco in the semifinals, the first African team to get to the final four. Two defeats followed, but it didn’t matter. Morocco had made history.