The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has never been short on flair, drama, or chaos.
From underdog fairy tales to golden generations crumbling under pressure, Africa’s biggest football stage has a rich history of AFCON upsets, shock results, and surprise stories that still make fans rub their eyes in disbelief.
These moments remind us that in African football, reputation counts for little once the whistle blows.
From Chipolopolo’s miracle in Libreville to the islanders from Madagascar humbling Nigeria, here are ten of the biggest AFCON shocks ever recorded; results that shook the continent and thrilled neutrals everywhere.
AFCON upset: Zambia 0–0 Ivory Coast (Zambia won 8–7 on pens) — 2012 final
When Zambia faced Ivory Coast’s “golden generation” – Didier Drogba, Yaya Touré, Salomon Kalou, and Gervinho – few gave them a chance.
The Elephants hadn’t conceded all tournament. Zambia, meanwhile, were playing for something bigger than football — redemption near the crash site that claimed 18 of their players in 1993.
After a goalless 120 minutes, Zambia held their nerve to win 8–7 on penalties. It was more than just an AFCON shock result, it was an emotional resurrection and one of sport’s greatest fairy tales.
AFCON upset: Zambia 1–0 Ghana — 2012 semi-final
Before their fairy-tale final, Zambia had already caused ripples by defeating Ghana, one of the tournament’s favourites.
Emmanuel Mayuka’s 78th-minute strike stunned the Black Stars and sent the Copper Bullets into the final. The win was proof that Zambia’s run was no fluke; they were destiny-bound.
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AFCON upset: Malawi 3–0 Algeria — 2010 Group Stage
Algeria had just qualified for the World Cup and were expected to cruise past minnows Malawi.
Instead, they were shell-shocked. Goals from Russell Mwafulirwa, Elvis Bryson Kafoteka, and Davi Banda sealed an unforgettable 3–0 rout. Malawi would crash out later, but for one night, they ruled Africa.
AFCON upset: Benin 1–1 Morocco (Benin won 4–1 on pens) — 2019 Round of 16
Benin had never reached the knockout rounds.
Morocco, under Hervé Renard, were tipped for the title. But the Squirrels held firm and then stunned the Atlas Lions in a penalty shootout. The result left Morocco dazed, and Africa celebrating another AFCON surprise.
AFCON upset: Madagascar 2–0 Nigeria — 2019 Group Stage
Debutants Madagascar entered AFCON 2019 ranked 108th in the world.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles, three-time champions with Premier League stars, were expected to make light work of them.
Instead, Lalaina Nomenjanahary and Carolus Andriamahitsinoro powered the islanders to a 2–0 win and top spot in the group. It was a pure AFCON upset and a moment that showed the continent’s smaller nations were catching up.
AFCON upset: Cape Verde 2–1 Ghana — 2023 Group Stage
Tiny Cape Verde, with a population smaller than Accra, stunned four-time champions Ghana in their opening match of AFCON 2023.
Jamiro Monteiro opened the scoring, Alexander Djiku equalised, but Garry Rodrigues netted a stoppage-time winner to complete one of the tournament’s most stunning openings.
AFCON upset: Equatorial Guinea 4–0 Ivory Coast — 2023 Group Stage
Host nation Ivory Coast were humiliated on home soil by Equatorial Guinea, who produced their biggest ever AFCON win.
Emilio Nsue’s brace inspired a 4–0 triumph that nearly sent the eventual champions crashing out.
The Elephants survived only thanks to results elsewhere, but this AFCON shock result remains unforgettable.
AFCON upset: Equatorial Guinea 2–1 Tunisia — 2015 Quarter-final
Ranked 118th in the world, hosts Equatorial Guinea pulled off a miraculous win over 2004 AFCON winners, Tunisia.
Javier Balboa scored a late penalty and a breathtaking extra-time winner. Controversial? Yes. But also pure AFCON magic.
AFCON upset: Angola 3–1 Senegal — 2008 Group Stage
Senegal arrived in Ghana with stars like El Hadji Diouf and Henri Camara, but it was Angola’s Mateus Contreiras and Flávio Amado who stole the show.
After going behind early, Angola struck three times to eliminate the Lions of Teranga, their first group-stage exit in over two decades.
AFCON upset: Sudan 1–0 Ghana — 1970 Final
Long before modern-day miracles, Sudan produced the original AFCON upset.
Facing a Ghana side that had reached four straight finals, hosts Sudan prevailed thanks to Hasabu El-Sagheer’s 12th-minute goal. It was their first title, and proof that even giants could fall on African soil.