The AfCON is the pinnacle of international football on the continent. For over six decades, it has fascinated audiences with captivating matches and remarkable narratives.
From the tournament’s inception in 1957 to its current status as one of the world’s most prestigious football competitions, the AfCON has consistently delivered unforgettable moments.
It has bred fairy-tale stories and underdog triumphs. In 2012, unheralded Zambia rose to the occasion, defeating Ivory Coast to lift the title.
Along the way, Zambia defeated the likes of pre-tournament favourites Senegal in the group stage, Sudan in the quarterfinals, Ghana in the semis, and the Didier Drogba-led Elephants in the final.
Eleven years after the heartbreaking defeat to Zambia, Toure has placed the Christopher Katongo-captained Chipolopolo squad at the summit of the top ten AfCON-winning teams of all time.
Toure is part of the BBC ‘Match of the Day Africa: Top 10’ podcast panel alongside former Nigerian international Efan Ekoku. ]
The podcast is hosted by Gabriel Zakauni, a former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) striker.
In each episode, the trio focuses on a specific topic, such as the best goal scorers, biggest moments, and unsung heroes of African football, among others.
In the latest episode, they drew up the top 10 AfCON-winning squads.
“This [Chipolopolo] team was commanded by Hervé Renard. Zambia, what they did was memorable. The achievement they made and all the opponents they faced, we have to give them the spot,” Toure said.
Toure gives credit to Renard
Toure, who later worked with Renard in 2015 to lift the AfCON with Ivory Coast, credited the Frenchman for charging Zambia to the ultimate victory in 2012.
“Hervé Renard gets 60 to 70 percent of that [credit]…… To make those players believe they can beat this team, it has to be mentally prepared. I was a big fan of Hervé Renard,” Toure said.
Ekoku, who won the AfCON with Nigeria in 1994, described Zambia’s 2012 triumph as a moment of ‘real history’.
“For them to win AfCON anyway is real history and a fantastic achievement. It was such a surprise with their progression throughout the tournament that you were thinking, ‘Really, can this group of players go onto the final and win?’
“Very well organized; no superstars but you could see everybody doing their job. It has got to be the greatest achievement…… Not the best group of players but incredible to think that they won,” Ekoku said.
The full list had South Africa’s squad that won the 1996 AfCON come in at number 10. The DRC’s team that beat Zambia in the 1974 final was listed at number nine.
In eighth was Ghana’s team that won the 1982 title in Libya, while Sadio Mane’s Senegal of 2022 was placed at number seven before Ivory Coast’s 2015 winning team, which was number six.
Algeria’s side that won the 1990 AfCON made it into the top five, behind fourth-placed Cameroon (2002) title. Egypt (2010) and Nigeria (1994) settled for third and second, respectively.
“Zambia edges it for being such underdogs!” Host Zakauni said, “We have Zambia as the best AfCON winning team.”
