As the birthplace of the tournament, Egypt played a pivotal role in shaping its prestige and competitive spirit, winning the inaugural championship and setting a standard for excellence in African football.
The AFCON was first held in 1957, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which itself was founded just a year earlier. At the 1xBet online sports betting platform you will also find chances to wager on other CAF competitions as well.
Egypt was not only a founding member of CAF but also the host of the first tournament. This early involvement gave Egypt both home advantage and a strong organizational influence, which they capitalized on by winning the very first edition of the tournament. Besides wagers on African football, you may also want to explore the virtual sports betting online 1xBet options too.
The 1957 AFCON featured only 3 teams:
The low number of participants was because several countries were still under colonial rule or lacked organized football federations. Egypt beat Sudan 2-1 in the final to claim the inaugural title. If you think you know who will win other big football competitions, you can wager on them at 1xBet, where online virtual sports betting is featured too.
Egypt’s dominance continued into the second edition in 1959, again held on home soil. This tournament expanded slightly but still featured just a handful of teams. Egypt showcased superior skill, tactical discipline, and physical fitness, defeating Sudan 2-1 once again to retain their crown. As you can see so far, making a bet on football online on the Egyptian national side through 1xBet can be a great idea.
These early victories were fueled by Egypt’s established football culture, solid domestic leagues, and experienced players who were often exposed to international competition more than their peers in other African countries.
Egypt’s early success wasn’t just about the victories but also about their role in popularizing the tournament across the continent. Their wins gave the AFCON credibility, attracting more nations to participate in later years. Furthermore, Egypt’s football infrastructure, coaching, and organizational capacity were more advanced compared to many African nations at the time. Right now placing an online bet on football teams from Africa at 1xBet is very simple.