The Most Successful National Team in Africa, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the national team you think is the most successful!

Updated on May 2, 2024 06:57

Ranking the most successful national football teams in Africa stirs a keen interest among fans and analysts alike. It serves as a dynamic measure of the progress and prowess that various teams have exhibited over the years. Such rankings not only foster spirited discussions but also highlight the evolving nature of football in the continent. By participating in this live ranking, users gain the unique opportunity to have their say in determining which team stands out above the rest. This collective input ensures that the ranking remains current and reflective of the opinions and perspectives of a broad audience. The ongoing updates and shifts in position keep the anticipation and engagement levels high.

What Is the Most Successful National Team in Africa?

1

42
votes
Jeanpierrekepseu · CC BY-SA 4.0

Egypt national football team

With 7 Africa Cup of Nations titles and a record 23 appearances in the tournament, Egypt holds the record for the most successful national team in Africa. They have also qualified for the FIFA World Cup three times, reaching the Round of 16 in 1934.
The Egypt national football team, commonly known as The Pharaohs, is the most successful national team in Africa. They are governed by the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) and have a rich history in international football. The team has achieved notable success both regionally and globally.

FIFA Ranking: 46 (as of September 2021)

Number of African Cup of Nations Titles: 7

First African Cup of Nations Title: 1957

Total African Cup of Nations Appearances: 24

Number of World Cup Appearances: 3
2

48
votes
Cameroon national football team

Cameroon has won the Africa Cup of Nations five times, and they were the first African team to reach the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup in 1990. They have also participated in seven World Cups.
The Cameroon national football team, also known as The Indomitable Lions, is the most successful national team in Africa. They are regarded as one of the powerhouses of African football and have achieved significant success in international competitions.

FIFA Ranking: 53rd (as of July 2021)

First International: Cameroon 5-3 Gabon (6 June 1960)

African Cup of Nations Titles: 5 (1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, 2017)

Olympic Gold Medal: 1 (2000)

FIFA World Cup Appearances: 7 (1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2014)
3

22
votes
Кирилл Венедиктов · CC BY-SA 3.0

Nigeria national football team

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have won the Africa Cup of Nations three times and have also qualified for the World Cup six times, including reaching the Round of 16 three times.
The Nigeria national football team, also known as the Super Eagles, is the most successful national team in Africa. It is governed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), which was established in 1945. The team represents Nigeria in international football competitions and has a rich history filled with accomplishments.

FIFA Ranking: 36 (as of April 2021)

AFCON Titles: 3 (1980, 1994, 2013)

Olympic Gold Medals: 1 (1996)

World Cup Appearances: 6 (1994, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2014, 2018)

World Cup Best Performance: Round of 16 (1994, 1998)
4

12
votes
Pierre-Yves Beaudouin · CC BY-SA 4.0

Ghana national football team

The Black Stars of Ghana have won the Africa Cup of Nations four times and have also reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup in 2010. They have qualified for the World Cup three times.
The Ghana national football team, also known as the Black Stars, is the national football team of Ghana. It represents Ghana in international football competitions. The team is considered one of the most successful national teams in Africa, with a rich history and significant achievements.

FIFA Ranking: 52 (as of April 2021)

CAF Ranking: 6 (as of April 2021)

CAF Africa Cup of Nations Titles: 4 (1963, 1965, 1978, 1982)

FIFA World Cup Appearances: 3 (2006, 2010, 2014)

Best FIFA World Cup Finish: Quarter-finals (2010)
5

11
votes
Ivory Coast national football team

The Elephants of Ivory Coast have won the Africa Cup of Nations twice and have also qualified for the World Cup three times, reaching the Round of 16 in 2006 and 2014.
The Ivory Coast national football team, also known as Les Éléphants (The Elephants), is the national team of Ivory Coast. It is one of the most successful national teams in Africa, known for their consistently strong performances in various international tournaments.

FIFA Code: CIV

Confederation: CAF

First International: Ivory Coast 3-2 Dahomey - June 13, 1960

Current Manager: Patrice Beaumelle

Current Captain: Serge Aurier
6

7
votes
Tasnim News Agency · CC BY 4.0

Algeria national football team

The Desert Foxes of Algeria have won the Africa Cup of Nations once and have also qualified for the World Cup five times, reaching the Round of 16 in 2014.
The Algeria national football team, also known as Les Fennecs (The Desert Foxes), is the most successful national team in Africa.

FIFA Code: ALG

Confederation: Confederation of African Football (CAF)

First international: Algeria 2-1 Tunisia (Tunis, Tunisia; 1 January 1963)

Coach: Djamel Belmadi

Home stadium: Stade Mustapha Tchaker
7

5
votes
Екатерина Лаут · CC BY-SA 3.0

Tunisia national football team

The Eagles of Carthage of Tunisia have won the Africa Cup of Nations once and have also qualified for the World Cup five times, reaching the Round of 16 in 1978.
The Tunisia national football team, also known as 'The Eagles of Carthage', is the most successful national team in Africa. They represent Tunisia in international football competitions and are governed by the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF).

Number of Africa Cup of Nations titles: 1

FIFA World Cup appearances: 5

Highest FIFA World Ranking: 14

Number of Arab Cup of Nations titles: 3

Record unbeaten streak in international matches: 28
8

11
votes
mustapha ennaimi · CC BY 2.0

Morocco national football team

The Atlas Lions of Morocco have won the Africa Cup of Nations once and have also qualified for the World Cup five times, reaching the Round of 16 in 1986.
The Morocco national football team, also known as the Atlas Lions, is the most successful national team in Africa. They represent the Kingdom of Morocco in international football competitions.

FIFA Code: MAR

Confederation: CAF

First International: Morocco 3-3 Yugoslavia (May 8, 1955)

Current Coach: Vahid Halilhodžić

FIFA Ranking: 34 (as of September 2021)
9

12
votes
South Africa national football team

The Bafana Bafana of South Africa won the Africa Cup of Nations once and hosted the World Cup in 2010. They have also qualified for the World Cup three times.
The South Africa national football team, commonly known as Bafana Bafana, is the national football team of South Africa. It represents the country in international men's football competitions and is controlled by the South African Football Association (SAFA). The team has a rich history and is considered one of the most successful national teams in Africa.

FIFA Code: RSA

Nickname: Bafana Bafana

First International: South Africa 1-0 Cameroon (7 July 1992)

Biggest Win: South Africa 17-0 Seychelles (8 July 2000)

Head Coach: Molefi Ntseki
10

5
votes

Jeanpierrekepseu · CC BY-SA 4.0

Senegal national football team

The Lions of Teranga of Senegal have reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations once and have also reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup in 2002. They have qualified for the World Cup twice.

Missing your favorite national team?

Graphs

Discussion

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most successful national team in Africa. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or team is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2690 views
163 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each team once every 24 hours. The rank of each team is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most successful national team in africa

Africa is a continent that is known for its love for football. Football is a unifying sport that has brought people from different regions together. The continent has produced some of the world's best football players who have gone on to make a name for themselves in the global stage. However, when it comes to national teams, there are some that have stood out from the rest. In this article, we will explore the most successful national team in Africa. We will delve into their history, achievements, and what makes them unique. Join us as we take a trip down memory lane and discover the best national team in Africa.