AFCON WINNER 2023 - 2024

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, also known as AFCON ₂₀₂₃ and sponsored by TotalEnergies, was the 34th edition of the tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Ivory Coast hosted the event for the second time after 1984. Originally planned for the Northern Hemisphere's summer like the 2019 edition, the tournament was rescheduled to January 13 – February 11, 2024, due to concerns about the summer weather in Ivory Coast. 

The change aimed to avoid conflicts with European club teams and competitions. The decision followed a similar move for the 2021 edition in Cameroon, which was also shifted to the Northern Hemisphere's winter due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the CAF calendar. Ivory Coast emerged as the champions, winning their third title. They defeated Nigeria 2-1 in the final, and earlier in the tournament, they had overcome defending champions Senegal in the round of 16 with a penalty shootout victory after a  1-1 draw.

AFCON WINNER 2023

Ivory Coast

The Ivory Coast national football team, known as the Elephants, plays for Ivory Coast in men's international football. The team is looked after by the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF). 

They have won the Africa Cup of Nations three times – in 1992, 2015, and 2023. Additionally, they've qualified for the FIFA World Cup three times, in 2006, 2010, and 2014.The team wears all orange for their home games. 

Since 2020, they've been playing their home matches at Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan. Before that, their home ground was Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, also in Abidjan.

Didier Zokora has the most caps for the team, with 123 appearances. The top goal scorer is Didier Drogba, who scored 65 goals for the Elephants in 105 appearances.

RUNNERS UP

Nigeria

The Nigeria national football team plays for Nigeria in men's international football. The team is managed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). They've won the Africa Cup of Nations three times, with their latest victory in 2013. As of February 2024, they were ranked 28th in the FIFA rankings.

Nigeria has been part of six out of the last eight FIFA World Cups, missing only the 2006 and 2022 editions. They made it to the round of 16 three times. Their first time at the World Cup was in 1994. The team is a member of FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

THIRD PLACE

South Africa

The South Africa men's national soccer team plays for South Africa in international soccer. The team is managed by the South African Football Association, the governing body for soccer in South Africa. They are nicknamed Bafana Bafana, which means "The Boys," and their home ground is FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. Their notable achievement is winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996. The team is a member of both FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

They played their first match in 1906 but were banned from FIFA for 16 years and effectively suspended for 40 years due to the apartheid system. In 1992, they returned to the world stage. South Africa made history by becoming the first African nation to host the FIFA World Cup in 2010. 

Siphiwe Tshabalala scored the first goal of the tournament in the opening game against Mexico, and the team celebrated with an iconic Macarena style goal celebration. As of February 15, 2024, the team is ranked 10th in Africa (CAF) and 58th in FIFA.

FOURTH PLACE

DR Congo

The DR Congo National Football Team, also known as Congo DR, plays for the Democratic Republic of the Congo in men's international football. The team is managed by the Congolese Association Football Federation. They are called Les Léopards, which means The Leopards. The team is part of FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Congo DR has been ranked as high as 28th in the FIFA Rankings. Back when they were known as Zaire, they were the first Sub Saharan African team to qualify for the FIFA World Cup and won the Africa Cup of Nations twice. They have also been successful in the African Nations Championship, winning it twice, along with Morocco. Currently, they are ranked 67th in the FIFA Rankings.

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