The Africa Nations Cup has consistently delivered drama, surprises, and jaw-dropping results. While powerhouse nations often dominate, history tells us that underdogs have stolen the show many times.
Below, we rank the 7 most shocking upsets in Africa Nations Cup history, starting from the least to the most unbelievable, based on historical context, tournament stakes, and the sheer scale of the upset.
7. Togo’s Quarterfinal Surprise – 2013
Togo, long seen as a minor player in African football, had never made it past the group stage of the Africa Nations Cup before 2013. With Emmanuel Adebayor back in the squad, they shocked Algeria 2-0 and secured qualification to the quarterfinals for the first time ever.
Though their run ended against Burkina Faso, reaching the last eight was a huge milestone for a team few expected to even leave the group.
6. Algeria’s Group Stage Collapse – 2017
Tunisia scored twice in the second half to beat Algeria 2-1 in Franceville and haul themselves back into contention for an Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals place.
/ AFP / STRINGER (Photo credit should read STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images)
Packed with talent including Riyad Mahrez and Yacine Brahimi, Algeria entered the 2017 Africa Nations Cup as one of the top contenders. But instead of dominating, they crashed out in the group stage after failing to win a single match.
Drawing with Zimbabwe, losing to Tunisia, and sharing points with Senegal was an embarrassing campaign for a team expected to contend for the title.
5. Tunisia Knocking Out Defending Champions Nigeria – 2004
When Tunisia faced Nigeria in the 2004 semifinals, many expected a win for the Super Eagles, who were defending champions and featured legends like Jay-Jay Okocha. However, Tunisia held firm and won in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw.
They went on to lift their first-ever Africa Nations Cup, showing that with home support and determination, surprises can become success stories.
4. Senegal’s Group Stage Exit – 2012
With a squad full of Europe-based stars including Demba Ba and Papiss Cissé, Senegal were heavy favorites in 2012. But they lost all three group games, including a shock 2-1 defeat to tournament co-hosts Equatorial Guinea.
That result eliminated them early and served as a harsh reminder: in the Africa Nations Cup, even the strongest teams can fall fast.
3. Burkina Faso’s Cinderella Run – 2013
Burkina Faso were ranked outside the world’s top 50 heading into the 2013 tournament. No one expected them to reach the final, but they defied the odds. After beating Ghana in the semifinals via penalties, they fell narrowly to Nigeria in the final.
This dream run showed the world that smaller footballing nations could go toe-to-toe with giants on Africa’s biggest stage.
2. Madagascar’s Fairytale Debut – 2019
In their Africa Nations Cup debut, Madagascar stunned everyone. They topped their group by defeating Nigeria 2-0, then eliminated DR Congo in the Round of 16. Their run ended in the quarterfinals against Tunisia, but their fearless football and belief turned them into heroes.
From unknowns to national icons, Madagascar’s 2019 campaign was nothing short of magical.
1. Zambia’s Miracle in Libreville – 2012
This remains the most emotional and shocking upset in Africa Nations Cup history. Zambia, in honor of the national team lost in the 1993 plane crash near Libreville, returned to the same city in 2012 for the final against Ivory Coast—a team filled with global stars like Didier Drogba, Yaya Touré, and Gervinho.
After a goalless draw, Zambia held their nerve in an epic 8-7 penalty shootout to lift their first-ever AFCON trophy. The symbolic location and the underdog narrative made this moment historic.
Why AFCON Remains Unpredictable
The Africa Nations Cup is a tournament that thrives on unpredictability. Some key reasons:
- Climatic and pitch conditions often level the playing field
- National pride and motivation sometimes outweigh club experience
- Diverse tactical styles clash in unexpected ways
- Host nation advantage consistently plays a key role
These ingredients create an environment ripe for surprises, making every edition of the tournament unmissable.
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Final Thoughts
From debutant heroics to emotional comebacks, the Africa Nations Cup has produced legendary upsets that define the spirit of African football. These moments are more than just results—they’re symbols of resilience, belief, and the beauty of the underdog story.
As we look to future tournaments, one thing is certain: more shocks are coming, and history will be made again.
