The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is Africa’s premier international men’s football competition. Organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the tournament crowns the continent’s national champion and remains one of the most watched football events globally.
Egypt are the most successful nation in AFCON history with seven titles. They are followed by Cameroon with five trophies, Ghana with four, and Nigeria with three.
As the 35th Africa Cup of Nations is set to take place in Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, BBC Sport Africa highlights five legendary players who, despite their brilliance, never won the prestigious title.
Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
At 33, Egypt captain Mohamed Salah may be running out of time to claim AFCON glory. He has endured heartbreak twice, finishing as runner-up in 2017 and again in 2021.
Although Egypt last won the tournament in 2010, Salah was yet to establish himself internationally at the time. The Pharaohs then failed to qualify for three consecutive editions between 2012 and 2015, postponing his AFCON debut until 2017.
That first appearance ended in a final defeat to Cameroon. Four years later, Egypt reached the final again but lost on penalties to Senegal, with Salah never getting the chance to take a spot kick. Injured during AFCON 2023, he watched from the sidelines as Egypt exited in the round of 16. AFCON 2025 could be his last chance to complete his international legacy.
Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast)
Didier Drogba thrived on the biggest stages at club level, particularly with Chelsea, but AFCON proved unforgiving.
He captained Ivory Coast to two finals, in 2006 and 2012, with penalties denying him both times. In 2006, he missed during the shootout against Egypt, while in 2012 he blazed a late penalty over the bar against Zambia before another shootout defeat.
Despite several deep runs in the tournament, the trophy eluded him. Ivory Coast eventually won AFCON in 2015, just months after Drogba retired from international football.
George Weah (Liberia)
George Weah remains the only African to have won the Ballon d’Or, achieving the feat in 1995. While he starred for Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan, international success was limited by Liberia’s footballing constraints.
Liberia qualified for AFCON only twice during Weah’s career, in 1996 and 2002, and failed to progress beyond the group stage on both occasions. Weah scored once at the tournament, netting in a 2002 draw with Mali.
Though AFCON success eluded him, Weah later served his country as president from 2018 to 2024.
Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria)
Renowned for his elegance and intelligence, Nwankwo Kanu enjoyed a stellar club career, winning the Champions League with Ajax and domestic titles with Arsenal. He also claimed Olympic gold with Nigeria in 1996.
AFCON, however, brought disappointment. His closest chance came in 2000 when Nigeria reached the final on home soil. The Super Eagles lost to Cameroon on penalties, with Kanu missing his spot kick.
Nigeria reached the semi-finals four times during his international career, but Kanu retired without lifting the AFCON trophy, settling for silver and bronze medals.
Michael Essien (Ghana)
Michael Essien was central to a talented Ghana side that emerged after the nation’s last AFCON triumph in 1982. A powerful and composed midfielder, he carried his leadership from Chelsea to the Black Stars.
Injuries, however, repeatedly derailed his AFCON campaigns. He missed the 2006 tournament, captained Ghana to third place in 2008, and was forced out midway through AFCON 2010 as Ghana reached the final, only to lose to Egypt.
Recurring fitness issues eventually shortened his international career, leaving Essien among Africa’s greats who never captured AFCON gold.
