The Africa Cup of Nations third-place playoff has, over the decades, served as a defining moment for teams seeking to end their campaigns on a positive note. While the final determines champions, the bronze medal match often reflects resilience, recovery, and tactical maturity after the disappointment of missing out on the title clash.
Since the inaugural edition in 1957, several nations have written their names into the AFCON bronze medal history, with Nigeria emerging as the most consistent performers in this category.
Below is a detailed, chronological account of every AFCON bronze medal winner, including how, where, and when each medal was secured.
2025: Nigeria
Nigeria claimed third place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco after winning the bronze medal match, rounding off a strong tournament campaign beating Egypt 4-2 on penalties.
2023: South Africa
South Africa secured the bronze medal at the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire after defeating DR Congo via penalties in the third-place playoff, marking their return to the podium since 2000.
2021: Cameroon
At the 2021 AFCON hosted by Cameroon, the Indomitable Lions came from behind to defeat Burkina Faso in the third-place match, finishing the tournament strongly in front of home fans.
2019: Nigeria
Nigeria won the bronze medal at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt after edging Tunisia in the playoff, a match decided by a solitary goal that underlined the Super Eagles’ defensive organisation.
2017: Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso claimed third place at the 2017 tournament in Gabon, defeating Ghana on penalties after a dramatic playoff that ended level in regulation time.
2015: DR Congo
DR Congo secured the bronze medal at the 2015 AFCON in Equatorial Guinea after beating hosts Equatorial Guinea in the third-place match.
2013: Mali
Mali finished third at the 2013 AFCON in South Africa, recording a convincing victory over Ghana to earn their first-ever bronze medal.
2012: Mali
Mali repeated the achievement at the 2012 tournament in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, once again defeating Ghana in the third-place playoff.
2010: Nigeria
Nigeria claimed bronze at the 2010 AFCON hosted by Angola after defeating Algeria, ending the tournament on a positive note.
2008: Ghana
Ghana secured third place at the 2008 AFCON on home soil, defeating Côte d’Ivoire in the playoff match.
2006: Nigeria
At the 2006 AFCON in Egypt, Nigeria defeated Senegal in the third-place match to finish on the podium.
2004: Nigeria
Nigeria claimed bronze at the 2004 tournament in Tunisia after overcoming Mali via penalties following a goalless draw.
2002: Nigeria
Nigeria secured third place at the 2002 AFCON hosted by Mali, beating the hosts in the bronze medal match.
2000: South Africa
South Africa finished third at the 2000 AFCON co-hosted by Ghana and Nigeria, defeating Algeria in the playoff.
1998: DR Congo
DR Congo earned bronze at the 1998 AFCON in Burkina Faso after defeating the hosts in the third-place match.
1996: Zambia
Zambia secured third place at the historic 1996 AFCON in South Africa, defeating Ghana in the playoff.
1994: Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire claimed bronze at the 1994 AFCON in Tunisia after defeating Mali.
1992: Nigeria
Nigeria finished third at the 1992 tournament in Senegal, beating Cameroon in the bronze medal match.
1990: Zambia
Zambia secured bronze at the 1990 AFCON in Algeria, defeating Senegal in the third-place playoff.
1988: Algeria
Algeria claimed third place at the 1988 AFCON in Morocco after beating the hosts in the playoff.
1986: Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire finished third at the 1986 AFCON hosted by Egypt, defeating Morocco.
1984: Algeria
Algeria secured another bronze medal at the 1984 tournament in Côte d’Ivoire after defeating Nigeria.
1982: Zambia
Zambia claimed third place at the 1982 AFCON in Libya, defeating Algeria in the playoff.
1980: Morocco
Morocco finished third at the 1980 AFCON hosted by Nigeria after beating Egypt.
1978: Nigeria
Nigeria claimed bronze at the 1978 AFCON in Ghana, defeating hosts Ghana in the third-place match.
1976: Nigeria
At the 1976 AFCON in Ethiopia, Nigeria finished third in the final group standings, as the tournament used a round-robin format rather than a playoff.
1974: Egypt
Egypt secured third place at the 1974 AFCON hosted on home soil after finishing behind Zaire and Zambia in the final group.
1972: Cameroon
Cameroon claimed bronze at the 1972 AFCON which they hosted, finishing third in the final group stage.
1970: Egypt
Egypt finished third at the 1970 AFCON in Sudan after placing behind Sudan and Ghana in the final standings.
1968: Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire secured bronze at the 1968 AFCON in Ethiopia by finishing third in the final rankings.
1965: Côte d’Ivoire
The Ivorians repeated the feat at the 1965 AFCON in Tunisia, again finishing third overall.
1963: Egypt
Egypt claimed third place at the 1963 tournament hosted by Ghana, ending the competition behind Ghana and Sudan.
1962: Tunisia
Tunisia secured bronze at the 1962 AFCON which they hosted, finishing third in the group standings.
1959: Ethiopia
Ethiopia finished third at the 1959 AFCON hosted by Egypt, behind the hosts and Sudan.
1957: Sudan
Sudan became the first-ever AFCON bronze medal winners at the inaugural tournament in 1957, hosted in Sudan.
Across generations, the AFCON bronze medal has symbolised resilience and consistency, rewarding teams that respond positively after semifinal disappointment. As the tournament continues to grow in stature, these third-place finishes remain an important part of Africa’s football legacy.
