Who Won the Last AFCON? The 2025 Football Final Explained

Morocco were the official champions of the last AFCON, the 2025 edition played from December 2025 to January 2026, after being awarded the title on 17 March 2026. Senegal won the final 1-0 after extra time on 18 January 2026, but CAF's appeal board subsequently recorded a 3-0 forfeit victory for Morocco. For soccer readers comparing the score they watched with the winners list, that distinction explains why both countries appear in answers.

A viewing centre argument in Lagos usually needs someone to remember the goal; this one also needs the date attached to the result. The Afcon hub provides the wider competition context. Which edition did you mean? The [recent winners table](#recent-winners) and the [previous winners section](#previous-winners) cover each one.

Why Does the 2025 AFCON Final Have Two Results?

The two results describe different events: Senegal's victory during the match and CAF's subsequent decision about the recorded outcome. In the final on 18 January 2026, a penalty awarded against Senegal after a video review prompted players to leave the pitch in protest. The decision concerned a foul on Morocco's Brahim Díaz, and the interruption lasted about 14 minutes. Sadio Mané persuaded his Senegal teammates to return so that the match could continue.

Édouard Mendy saved Díaz's penalty, and Pape Gueye scored in extra time to give the Teranga Lions their victory on the pitch. On 17 March 2026, CAF's appeal board upheld Morocco's appeal and determined that Senegal had forfeited the final by leaving the field. CAF recorded the result as a 3-0 Morocco win, which replaced the match score in the official record and made the Atlas Lions the recognised champions.

Where Does Senegal's Appeal Stand?

The dated position on 11 November 2026 is that Morocco retain official recognition while Senegal's challenge awaits a full decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport, known as CAS. Senegal appealed after CAF changed the result. CAS heard arguments from Senegal, Morocco and CAF in Lausanne on 8 October 2026, with a full ruling expected at the end of November 2026. That expectation is a timetable for a decision, rather than the decision itself. The dated status line in the results module carries the latest position once CAS rules.

The sequence matters: the final took place on 18 January, CAF changed the recorded result on 17 March, and the CAS hearing followed on 8 October 2026. If CAS reverses the award, the recognised winner and affected title totals will need updating according to its decision. A viral document claiming that CAS had already restored Senegal's title was reported as fake in July 2026. Before sharing a supposed verdict, check its publication date and confirmation through established news reporting.

What Happened in the Final, and Where Did Nigeria Finish?

Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 after extra time at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on 18 January 2026, with Pape Gueye scoring in the 94th minute. Those details identify the match itself, whatever the subsequent competition record says. Mané's role in bringing the players back, Mendy's penalty save and Gueye's finish explain why memories of the evening centre on Senegal. The awarded result explains why the official winners entry names Morocco.

Nigeria finished third at the 2025 edition after beating Egypt on penalties in the bronze medal match. For Super Eagles supporters, that is a separate result from the disagreement over the final. Nigeria's medal came through the third place play off against the Pharaohs, while the trophy question concerned Senegal and Morocco. When comparing tournament finishes, keep the results on the pitch apart from the later administrative result.

Who Won the AFCON Before the 2025 Edition?

Ivory Coast won the 2023 AFCON, which was played in January and February 2024, beating Nigeria 2-1 in the final. For many Nigerian readers, that is the match behind the question about the previous winner: the Super Eagles reached the final, and the Elephants took the trophy on home soil. Both the edition name and the playing year belong beside the result, because searching only for the calendar year can lead to a different tournament.

Before Ivory Coast's success, Senegal won the 2021 edition, played in January and February 2022. The Teranga Lions beat Egypt on penalties after a goalless final to secure their first AFCON title. The recent order therefore runs from Senegal in the 2021 edition to Ivory Coast in 2023, followed by the disputed 2025 edition. Reading the edition labels first makes that sequence easier to follow than relying on the dates of the finals alone.

How Should You Read the Recent AFCON Winners Table?

Read the edition year, playing year and host together, because AFCON's name has not always matched the calendar in which its final took place. The table ends with the completed 2025 edition and distinguishes its awarded result from the score on the pitch. Earlier rows identify the winning country and the other finalist. A host entry tells you where the tournament was staged; it does not necessarily identify either team in the final.

AFCON moved to odd numbered editions from 2013 to avoid the World Cup calendar, which explains the consecutive 2012 and 2013 entries. In December 2025, CAF announced a return to even years from 2028 and a four year cycle, although that plan has also been reported as on hold. Treat that announcement separately from completed winners. Historical edition labels remain the clearest reference when comparing trophies across changes to the competition calendar.

Which Countries Have Won the Most AFCON Titles?

Egypt lead the historical honours list with seven titles, followed by Cameroon's five and Ghana's four. The Pharaohs won in 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010; the Indomitable Lions won in 1984, 1988, 2000, 2002 and 2017. Ghana's Black Stars were champions in 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982. Those dated victories give the comparison substance: each country built its total across particular teams and tournament eras.

Nigeria and Ivory Coast have three titles each. The Super Eagles won in 1980, 1994 and 2013, while the Elephants won in 1992, 2015 and 2023. Algeria won in 1990 and 2019, and DR Congo, including its earlier identity as Zaire, won in 1968 and 1974. Under CAF's March 2026 award, Morocco's 2025 title joins their 1976 success. Morocco's total is therefore part of the record affected by the appeal described above.

The countries with one title are Ethiopia in 1962, Sudan in 1970, Congo in 1972, South Africa in 1996, Tunisia in 2004, Zambia in 2012 and Senegal in 2021. South Africa's Bafana Bafana won their trophy at home. For a Ghanaian reader comparing the Black Stars with Nigeria, the historical totals are four and three respectively. For a South African reader, the 1996 victory remains the starting point for understanding the country's place among the champions.

What Are Kenya and Uganda's AFCON Records?

Kenya and Uganda have not won AFCON, but Uganda reached the final in 1978 and finished runners up to Ghana. That is the Uganda Cranes' best finish, ahead of their fourth place in 1962. Kenya's Harambee Stars are co-hosts for 2027 and carry a devoted fanbase in Nairobi and Mombasa. Keeping those records distinct matters as the countries prepare to host: Uganda have a final appearance to look back on, while Kenya bring the home support of Nairobi and Mombasa to the tournament.

For readers in Nairobi and Kampala, the winners list also introduces the tournament their countries will share with Tanzania in 2027. Hosting and winning are different records, and each deserves its own space. A past title total measures completed success; a host entry records responsibility for staging the continental competition. Our football guides explain other competition records and formats, helping readers compare national achievements without confusing an appearance with a championship.

When Is the Next AFCON in East Africa?

PAMOJA 2027 is scheduled for 19 June to 17 July 2027 in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, making it the first AFCON hosted by three countries. The dates identify the tournament window rather than individual match times. For East African supporters, it brings the competition into their own region; for readers in Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa, the host countries provide the geographical reference for planning how to follow the matches.

Check each fixture's displayed time zone before arranging your viewing. EAT is two hours ahead of WAT, one hour ahead of SAST and three hours ahead of GMT. As a conversion example, a 20:00 EAT kick off would be 18:00 WAT, 19:00 SAST and 17:00 GMT; this is not an announced fixture time. Use the fixtures module for confirmed schedules, and check the dated appeal status before quoting the winner of the 2025 edition.