The 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations is underway in Cote d’Ivoire, marking another chapter in the illustrious history of African football. The tournament, which has grown into one of the most prestigious football events on the continent, showcases the rich talent, passion, and diversity that defines African football. 

As 24 nations compete for glory, fans eagerly await to witness unforgettable moments on the pitch. Therefore, this article will blend unforgettable historical facts with the suspenseful present that has shaped the tournament over the years.

AFCON 2024 Highlights 

AFCON 2024 is the third time that 24 teams will be meeting, unlike the previous 16 teams. The teams are divided into Group A – F with each group consisting of four countries.  

From each group, the top two and four best-ranked third-placed teams will qualify for the knockouts that include the round of sixteen, quarter-finals, semi-finals, third place, and the final. Therefore, below are the major highlights of AFCON 2024;

Prize money: The 2024 AFCON  features the largest prize money ever, setting a new record in the tournament’s history. Champions will now take home an impressive $7 million, marking a substantial 40% boost from the last edition. This significant incentive is poised to inject heightened drama and competitiveness into the competition.

Host: The tournament is hosted by Ivory Coast for the second time. The first was hosted in 1984 in two cities and two stadiums; Abidjan at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny stadium and Bouaké at the Stade Bouaké.

However, forty years later the host nation has expanded its venues to six across Abidjan (Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium), Bouaké (Stade de la Paix), Korhogo (Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, San-Pédro ( Laurent Pokou Stadium) and Yamoussoukro at Charles Konan Banny Stadium. 

Some Teams to Watchout for:

There are major teams that might spark the interest of the spectators. The aggressive comeback of the Bafana Bafana of South Africa after their inability to qualify for the 2021. The high morale of the defending team of Senegal, the historical team of Egypt, and the All-star team of Nigeria. 

Some Players to Watchout for:

1. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria): He is the current African Best of Footballer and he has also been an invaluable striker for Napoli in the journey of their recent scudetto. 

2. Mohammed Salah (Egypt): The two-time African Best Player who currently plays for Liverpool and got to the final of the last AFCON is another player to watch out for. 

3. Sadio Mane: Sadio Mane is the winner of the last AFCON and currently playing his trade at Al Nassr. 

4. Riyad Mahrez (Algeria): Algerian-born Riyad Mahrez played a crucial role in Algeria’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations victory. With three league titles under his belt from his time with Manchester City, he has recently joined the Saudi Pro League. Despite missing some games, Mahrez is now fully prepared to return to the field.

5. Mohammed Kudus (Ghana): Mohammed Kudus is a 23-year-old who currently plays for Westham. He scored the most goals in the qualifiers and the spectators might be wondering what he would do in the tournament. 

6. Lamine Camara (Senegal)

Lamine Camara is another player to watch out for in the 2024 AFCON. He was the best player of the 2022 African Nations Championship and he is currently playing for Metz in Ligue 1. In the ongoing 2024 AFCON, he has scored two goals with a man of the match. 

7. Iban Salvador 

Iban debuted for Equatorial Guinea in 2015 and since then he has been an important player for the team. So far, he has 40 appearances and 6 goals including the 2015 dramatic goal that took them to the quarter-final of the year. 

8. Jean-Philippe Krasso 

Jean-Philippe Krasso currently plays for Red Star Belgrade in Serbia. His recent form of 7 goals for his new club is an awesome performance and the fans are on the lookout if he will be able to recreate it in AFCON 

9. Clésio Baúque 

Clésio Baúque is a Mozambican player who currently plays for Gabala. Mozambique is one of the fastest-growing teams following their inability to qualify for six consecutive AFCON.  However, they have been able to secure a place in the 2024 tournament. Therefore, Clesio has been a major player and the fans might want to see his performance at the 2024 AFCON.

Key AFCON Records 

1. All-Time Highest Goal Scorer:

The record for the all-time highest goal scorer in the Africa Cup of Nations remains with Samuel Eto’o from Cameroon, who netted an impressive 18 goals throughout his illustrious career in the tournament.

2. The Country with the Most Trophies:

Egypt stands tall as the nation with the most Africa Cup of Nations trophies, having clinched the title a remarkable seven times. Their legacy in African football is marked by consistent success and a formidable footballing tradition.

3. Oldest Players to Have Scored:

Hossam Hassan of Egypt remains the competition’s oldest goalscorer since scoring for Egypt against DR Congo on February 3, 2006, in a 4-1 quarterfinal victory. He was 39 years and 174 days old when he scored. 

However, in the 2017 final in Libreville against Cameroon, Egypt’s goalkeeper Essam el Hadary, at the age of 44 years and 21 days, became the oldest player to participate in the tournament.

4. Youngest Players to Have Scored:

Shiva N’zigou from Gabon achieved the distinction of being the youngest scorer in an AFCON competition. At the age of 16 years and 93 days, he scored for Gabon in a 3-1 defeat against South Africa on January 23, 2000.

5. Most Capped Player:

Rigobert Song from Cameroon remains the most capped player in the Africa Cup of Nations. He played 36 matches between 1998-2012. However, the record can be broken by Andrew Ayew who currently has 35 appearances with two more games at hand.

6. Most Goals in a Match 

In 1970, Laurent Pokou netted five goals for Ivory Coast, leading them to a 6-1 triumph over Ethiopia.

7. Fastest AFCON Goal 

In 1994, Ayman Mansour etched his name in history by netting the quickest goal in the Africa Cup of Nations, finding the net only 23 seconds into Egypt’s 4-0 triumph against Gabon 

AFCON Past Winners

1. Egypt: Egypt is the most successful Country in AFCON. The country has lifted the trophy seven times starting from the inaugural one in 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, and 2010. 
2. Cameroon is the second most successful country in AFCON.  Having lifted the trophy five times, in 1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, and 2017, it also produced the all time goal scorer, Samuel Eto’o 
3. Ghana: Ghana is the third most successful country in the tournament, it lifted the trophy four times starting in 1963, 1965, 1978, and 1982. 
4. Nigeria: Nigeria is the fourth country with the most AFCON trophy. It lifted the trophy three times; 1980, 1994, and 2013. 
5. The following countries have lifted the trophy twice; Ivory Coast (1992 and 2015), Algeria (1990 and 2019), and the Democratic Republic of Congo (1968 and 1974) 
6. The following countries have lifted the trophy once Zambia (2012), Tunisia (Tunisia),  Sudan (1970),  Ethiopia (1962), Morocco (1976), South Africa (1996), Congo (1972), and the defending champion, Senegal in 2021. 

In conclusion, the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire unfolds with an exciting blend of history and present dynamics. With 24 teams competing, AFCON 2024 introduces a larger scale, amplified by record-breaking prize money, and Ivory Coast as the host nation with expanded venues.

Key players to watch, such as Osimhen, Salah, Mane, Mahrez, and Kudus, promise thrilling performances. The tournament’s rich history, marked by legendary figures and records, adds depth to the anticipation, making AFCON 2024 a spectacle of African football excellence.