Here is a list of the 20 most successful African footballing nations, ranked based on their achievements in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), World Cup performances, and overall contributions to football:
1. Egypt
- AFCON Titles: 7 (record holders) – 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010.
- World Cup Appearances: 3 (1934, 1990, 2018).
- Notable Players: Mohamed Salah, Mahmoud El Khatib.
2. Cameroon
- AFCON Titles: 5 – 1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, 2017.
- World Cup Appearances: 8 (record for Africa); Quarterfinals in 1990.
- Notable Players: Samuel Eto’o, Roger Milla.
3. Nigeria
- AFCON Titles: 3 – 1980, 1994, 2013.
- World Cup Appearances: 6; Round of 16 in 1994, 1998, 2014.
- Notable Players: Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu.
4. Ghana
- AFCON Titles: 4 – 1963, 1965, 1978, 1982.
- World Cup Appearances: 4; Quarterfinals in 2010.
- Notable Players: Abedi Pele, Asamoah Gyan.
5. Senegal
- AFCON Titles: 1 – 2021.
- World Cup Appearances: 3; Quarterfinals in 2002.
- Notable Players: Sadio Mané, El Hadji Diouf.
6. Ivory Coast
- AFCON Titles: 2 – 1992, 2015.
- World Cup Appearances: 3.
- Notable Players: Didier Drogba, Yaya Touré.
7. Algeria
- AFCON Titles: 2 – 1990, 2019.
- World Cup Appearances: 4; Round of 16 in 2014.
- Notable Players: Riyad Mahrez, Rabah Madjer.
8. Morocco
- AFCON Titles: 1 – 1976.
- World Cup Appearances: 6; Semifinals in 2022 (historic achievement for Africa).
- Notable Players: Hakim Ziyech, Achraf Hakimi.
9. South Africa
- AFCON Titles: 1 – 1996.
- World Cup Appearances: 3; Hosted in 2010.
- Notable Players: Benni McCarthy, Lucas Radebe.
10. Tunisia
- AFCON Titles: 1 – 2004.
- World Cup Appearances: 6.
- Notable Players: Wahbi Khazri, Radhi Jaïdi.
11. Zambia
- AFCON Titles: 1 – 2012.
- World Cup Appearances: None.
- Notable Players: Kalusha Bwalya.
12. DR Congo (formerly Zaire)
- AFCON Titles: 2 – 1968, 1974.
- World Cup Appearances: 1 (1974).
- Notable Players: Ndaye Mulamba.
13. Mali
- AFCON Best Finish: Runners-up (1972).
- World Cup Appearances: None.
- Notable Players: Seydou Keita.
14. Burkina Faso
- AFCON Best Finish: Runners-up (2013).
- World Cup Appearances: None.
- Notable Players: Charles Kaboré.
15. Uganda
- AFCON Best Finish: Runners-up (1978).
- World Cup Appearances: None.
- Notable Players: Denis Onyango.
16. Angola
- AFCON Best Finish: Quarterfinals (2008, 2010).
- World Cup Appearances: 1 (2006).
- Notable Players: Flávio Amado.
17. Togo
- AFCON Best Finish: Quarterfinals (2013).
- World Cup Appearances: 1 (2006).
- Notable Players: Emmanuel Adebayor.
18. Guinea
- AFCON Best Finish: Runners-up (1976).
- World Cup Appearances: None.
- Notable Players: Naby Keïta.
19. Kenya
- AFCON Best Finish: Group stage appearances.
- World Cup Appearances: None.
- Notable Players: Victor Wanyama.
20. Cape Verde
- AFCON Best Finish: Quarterfinals (2013).
- World Cup Appearances: None.
- Notable Players: Ryan Mendes.
These rankings are based on historical achievements, tournament performances, and the global impact of the teams and their players.
