1. AFCON stands for the Africa Cup of Nations, the premier international men’s football competition in Africa.
2. It is organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
3. The tournament was first held in 1957.
4. The inaugural AFCON featured only three teams: Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia.
5. Egypt is the most successful nation in AFCON history, with 7 titles.
6. AFCON is usually held every two years, though scheduling has shifted over time.
7. The competition was originally played in odd-numbered years but was moved to even-numbered years in 2013 to avoid clashing with the FIFA World Cup.
8. Cameroon has won the tournament 5 times, making them the second-most successful team.
9. Nigeria has won AFCON three times (1980, 1994, and 2013).
10. The AFCON trophy has changed designs several times since the tournament began.
11. Host nations often perform strongly; several hosts have won the tournament.
12. Samuel Eto’o is one of the tournament’s greatest players, winning AFCON twice with Cameroon.
13. AFCON matches are known for their passionate fans, music, and vibrant stadium atmosphere.
14. The tournament has played a major role in showcasing African football talent to the global stage.
15. AFCON has helped launch the international careers of stars like Didier Drogba, Yaya Touré, Mohamed Salah, and Sadio Mané.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
