Since the first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in 1957, the competition has seen legendary tacticians—from African pioneers to celebrated European managers—guide their nations to continental glory. Below is the expanded list of all AFCON-winning coaches and their nationalities.
1950s–1970s: The Foundational Era
- 1957 – Egypt: Mourad Fahmy
Egypt’s first continental triumph was led by the pioneering Egyptian tactician. - 1962 – Ethiopia: Slavko Milosevic (Yugoslavia)
The first European to win AFCON, guiding Ethiopia on home soil. - 1963 – Ghana: Charles Gyamfi
The legendary Ghanaian coach secured the country’s first title. - 1965 – Ghana: Charles Gyamfi
Back-to-back triumphs cemented Gyamfi’s legacy. - 1968 – Zaire: Ferenc Csanad (Hungary)
The Hungarian coach delivered Zaire’s first continental crowning. - 1970 – Sudan: Jiri Starosta (Czechoslovakia)
Delivered Sudan’s first and only AFCON title. - 1972 – Congo: Amoyen Bibanzulu
Coached Congo to its maiden championship. - 1974 – Zaire: Blagoje Vidinic (Yugoslavia)
A celebrated tactician who guided Zaire to a second title. - 1976 – Morocco: Gheorghe Mardarescu (Romania)
The Romanian coach masterminded Morocco’s historic win. - 1978 – Ghana: Fred Osam Duodu
Restored Ghana’s dominance with their third AFCON triumph.
1980s: The Rise of New African Powerhouses
- 1980 – Nigeria: Otto Glória (Brazil)
The Brazilian coach delivered Nigeria’s first AFCON title. - 1982 – Ghana: Charles Gyamfi
His third title—Gyamfi becomes the most successful AFCON coach of the era. - 1984 – Cameroon: Rade Ognjanović (Yugoslavia)
Cameroon’s maiden AFCON triumph. - 1986 – Egypt: Mike Smith (Wales)
The first British coach to win the tournament. - 1988 – Cameroon: Claude Le Roy (France)
The Frenchman guided the Indomitable Lions to their second title.
1990s: North & West African Dominance
- 1990 – Algeria: Abdelhamid Kermali
Delivered Algeria’s first AFCON trophy on home soil. - 1992 – Ivory Coast: Yeo Martial
The Elephants won their first title in Senegal. - 1994 – Nigeria: Clemens Westerhof (Netherlands)
A golden generation crowned in Tunisia. - 1996 – South Africa: Clive Barker
A historic victory as Bafana Bafana won on home soil. - 1998 – Egypt: Mahmoud El-Gohary
A tactically disciplined run to reclaim continental dominance.
2000s: Cameroon & Egypt Dynasties
- 2000 – Cameroon: Pierre Lechantre (France)
Their second AFCON crown. - 2002 – Cameroon: Winfried Schäfer (Germany)
Completed back-to-back titles for Cameroon. - 2004 – Tunisia: Roger Lemerre (France)
Tunisia’s first and only AFCON title to date. - 2006 – Egypt: Hassan Shehata
Start of a historic three-peat. - 2008 – Egypt: Hassan Shehata
Shehata becomes only the second coach to defend his AFCON title. - 2010 – Egypt: Hassan Shehata
A record-breaking third consecutive title.
2010s–2024: New Heroes & Modern Tactics
2024 – Ivory Coast: Emerse Faé
From interim coach to national hero, Faé led the Elephants to an improbable triumph on home soil.a
2012 – Zambia: Hervé Renard (France)
A fairytale triumph dedicated to Zambia’s fallen 1993 squad.
2013 – Nigeria: Stephen Keshi
One of only two men to win AFCON as both player and coach.
2015 – Ivory Coast: Hervé Renard (France)
Renard becomes the first coach to win AFCON with two different nations.
2017 – Cameroon: Hugo Broos (Belgium)
Guided an unfancied Cameroon squad to continental glory.
2019 – Algeria: Djamel Belmadi
Revived Algeria with an exceptional run in Egypt.
2022 – Senegal: Aliou Cissé
Senegal’s first-ever AFCON title under their inspirational former captain.2024 – Ivory Coast: Emerse Faé
From interim coach to national hero, Faé led the Elephants to an improbable triumph on home soil.
