African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Overview Quiz

African Cup of Nations (AFCON): A Comprehensive Exploration

The African Cup of Nations, commonly referred to as AFCON, is a quadrennial football (soccer) championship tournament organized by the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF). Established in 1957, it is Africa's premier football competition, celebrating the rich talent and passion for the sport across the continent.

Top Scorers

The AFCON top scorers list features some of the most talented and iconic African footballers. For instance, Egypt's Hossam Hassan holds the record for the highest number of goals scored, with 13 goals in six tournaments. Other great scorers include Riyad Mahrez of Algeria, with 8 goals in 2019 and 2013, and Cameroon's Roger Milla, who scored 12 goals in three tournaments from 1984 to 1994.

Winners

Since its inception, Egypt has been the most successful team in AFCON, having won the tournament 7 times. Other national teams with multiple AFCON titles are Nigeria and Algeria, both with 2 titles each, and Cameroon, with 1 victory in 2000.

History

AFCON was first organized in 1957 in Egypt, where it was known as the African Nations Championship. Over the years, it has grown to become one of the continent's most prestigious football competitions, with an increasing number of participating teams. In 1988, the tournament changed its name to African Cup of Nations, and it has since been held every four years, except in 2015 when it was postponed due to the Ebola outbreak.

Current Edition

The 2021 (rescheduled from 2020) AFCON took place in Cameroon from January 9 to February 6, 2022. Senegal won their first title, defeating Egypt in the final with a score of 0-0 (4-2 on penalties).

Format

AFCON features 24 participating national teams, divided into six groups of four teams. Each group plays a round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage, where the quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final take place. The teams that rank third and fourth in each group qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations play-offs for the FIFA World Cup.

AFCON is a vital tournament in African football, showcasing the region's diverse and rich football culture. It serves as a platform for talented players from across Africa to showcase their skills, prove their mettle, and often secure contracts with top European clubs. The next AFCON tournament is scheduled for 2025, with the exact host nation yet to be confirmed.