CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations: Complete list of winners since 1979
As the 2025 edition of the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations concludes with South Africa crowned as winners, the spotlight also turns to the rich history of the tournament.
Since its inception in 1979, the U20 AFCON has been a breeding ground for some of the continent's finest football talent.
From Andre Ayew to Kanu Nwankwo, many African legends made their first mark at this youth tournament before dazzling on the global stage.
The competition has grown in stature over the decades, serving as both a continental showdown and a qualifier for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
It has also mirrored the rise of national football projects, with countries like Nigeria and Ghana dominating the honours list while emerging nations have occasionally made their mark.
With South Africa winning their maiden title they join an elite group of champions, the 2025 final adds another chapter to an already storied competition.
Following South Africa's victory in Egypt, here is a look at every past winner of the CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations. CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations – List of Past Winners Year Winner Host Country 1979 Algeria Mali 1981 Egypt Egypt 1983 Nigeria Nigeria 1985 Nigeria Nigeria 1987 Nigeria Ethiopia 1989 Nigeria Nigeria 1991 Egypt Egypt 1993 Ghana Mauritius 1995 Cameroon Nigeria 1997 Ghana Morocco 1999 Nigeria Ghana 2001 Angola Ethiopia 2003 Egypt Burkina Faso 2005 Nigeria Benin 2007 Congo Republic of Congo 2009 Ghana Rwanda 2011 Nigeria South Africa 2013 Egypt Algeria 2015 Nigeria Senegal 2017 Zambia Zambia 2019 Mali Niger 2021 Ghana Mauritania 2023 Senegal Egypt 2025 South Africa Egypt
The 2025 champion South Africa will join this elite list as a new entrant.
As history continues to unfold, Africa's youth talent remains one of the continent's greatest exports to the world of football.
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