Nigeria vs Zambia and Four Other Unforgettable AFCON Finals

With the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between hosts Morocco and Senegal set for Sunday in Rabat, AFP Sport has highlighted five of the most memorable title matches from the tournament’s history. There have been 32 AFCON finals since the competition began.

Ethiopia 4 Egypt 2 (1962)
The highest-scoring AFCON final remains a classic. Hosts Ethiopia came from behind twice against defending champions Egypt before scoring two goals in extra time to secure their only AFCON title. Mengistu Worku emerged as the hero in front of 30,000 fans in Addis Ababa, grabbing the second equaliser six minutes from the end of regulation time and adding the decisive fourth goal with two minutes of extra time remaining.

Congo 3 Mali 2 (1972)
Congo Brazzaville turned the 1972 final in Yaounde on its head with three goals in a seven-minute spell around the hour mark. Mali had led 1-0 at half-time in a clash between first-time finalists, but Jean-Michel M’Bono struck twice in quick succession. Francois M’Pele later extended the lead and was named the tournament’s outstanding player at the first AFCON hosted in Central Africa.

Nigeria 2 Zambia 1 (1994)
Zambia’s appearance in the 1994 final in Tunis was remarkable, coming less than a year after 18 members of the national team died in a plane crash off the coast of Gabon while travelling to a World Cup qualifier. Elijah Litana gave Zambia an early lead after just three minutes in front of 25,000 spectators. Emmanuel Amunike equalised two minutes later and scored again early in the second half to hand Nigeria the Super Eagles’ second AFCON title.

South Africa 2 Tunisia 0 (1996)
Hosts South Africa lifted the 1996 trophy before a capacity crowd of 80,000 in Johannesburg, only four years after their return to international football following the end of apartheid-era isolation. Then President Nelson Mandela and former president FW de Klerk watched as substitute Mark Williams scored twice, breaking the deadlock eight minutes after coming on and striking again soon after.

Zambia 0 Ivory Coast 0 (2012)
Zambia stunned favourites Ivory Coast in the 2012 final, winning 8-7 on penalties after a goalless draw. Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba missed a penalty in regulation time, while Kolo Toure and Gervinho failed in the shoot-out. Defender Stoppila Sunzu converted the winning kick. The victory in Libreville was especially emotional for Zambia, as the 1993 air disaster occurred close to the final venue.

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