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Senegal Won AFCON How Many Times |
Senegal won AFCON how many times? Get the full history, win year, finals record, and Senegal AFCON journey explained clearly and accurately.
If you’re asking “Senegal won AFCON how many times?”, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most searched African football questions, especially after Senegal’s recent dominance. In this guide, you’ll get a clear, factual, and up-to-date answer—plus the full story behind Senegal’s AFCON journey, their winning year, finals history, and why that single title still matters so much.
This article is written to match informational search intent and is optimized for clarity, accuracy, and long-term relevance.
How Many Times Has Senegal Won AFCON?
Senegal have won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) once.
- Total AFCON titles: 1
- Winning year: 2021 AFCON (played in 2022)
- Final opponent: Egypt
- Final score: 0–0 (Senegal won 4–2 on penalties)
This single victory marked a historic moment—not just for Senegalese football, but for African football as a whole.
Senegal AFCON Win Year: When Did Senegal Win AFCON?
Senegal AFCON Win Year: 2021
Although commonly referred to as AFCON 2021, the tournament was played in January–February 2022 due to COVID-19-related scheduling delays.
- Tournament host: Cameroon
- Final venue: Stade d’Olembe, Yaoundé
- Captain: Kalidou Koulibaly
- Star player: Sadio Mané
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) officially recognizes the title as AFCON 2021, which is why that year appears in records and statistics.
For official confirmation, CAF’s tournament records on its official website and reputable outlets like BBC Sport document Senegal’s 2021 triumph.
How Senegal Won AFCON 2021: A Brief Match Breakdown
Senegal entered the tournament as favorites—but pressure was massive due to past failures.
Final Match Summary (Senegal vs Egypt)
- Full time: 0–0
- Extra time: 0–0
- Penalties: Senegal 4 – 2 Egypt
Key moments:
- Sadio Mané missed a first-half penalty
- Edouard Mendy delivered crucial saves
- Mané scored the winning penalty
That final penalty erased decades of heartbreak.
How Many Times Have Senegal Won AFCON Finals Appearances?
While Senegal have only one AFCON title, they have reached the final three times.
Senegal AFCON Finals History
| Year | Result | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Runner-up | Cameroon |
| 2019 | Runner-up | Algeria |
| 2021 | Champions | Egypt |
This shows Senegal were consistently close before finally breaking through.
Why Senegal’s AFCON Win Was So Significant
Senegal’s AFCON victory wasn’t just another trophy—it ended a long narrative of “nearly men.”
Historical Context
- Senegal debuted in AFCON in 1965
- Multiple semi-final and final exits
- Repeated heartbreak on penalties and narrow defeats
Winning AFCON validated a generation of players and confirmed Senegal as a true African football powerhouse.
Key Players Behind Senegal’s AFCON Success
Sadio Mané
- Tournament top contributor
- Scored winning penalty in final
- Later won African Footballer of the Year
Edouard Mendy
- Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament
- Crucial penalty shootout performance
Kalidou Koulibaly
- Defensive leader
- Captained the team to victory
CAF later confirmed Senegal’s squad as one of the most balanced teams in AFCON history.
How Many Times Senegal Won AFCON Compared to Other African Giants
Here’s how Senegal ranks among AFCON champions:
| Country | AFCON Titles |
|---|---|
| Egypt | 7 |
| Cameroon | 5 |
| Ghana | 4 |
| Nigeria | 3 |
| Algeria | 2 |
| Senegal | 1 |
While Senegal’s title count is modest, their current dominance and squad quality suggest more trophies may come.
Senegal After AFCON: Continued Dominance
Following their AFCON win, Senegal:
- Qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup
- Won the 2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN)
- Became Africa’s top-ranked FIFA team
This consistency confirms their AFCON win wasn’t a fluke.
Common Myths About Senegal AFCON Wins (Cleared)
“Senegal won AFCON multiple times”
False. Senegal have won only once.
“Senegal won AFCON in 2002”
Incorrect. They lost the final to Cameroon on penalties.
“Senegal AFCON win year is 2021”
Correct, officially recognized by CAF.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many times Senegal won AFCON?
Senegal have won AFCON once.
How many times have Senegal won AFCON finals?
They won one final and lost two finals.
What year did Senegal win AFCON?
Senegal won AFCON in 2021 (played in 2022).
Who did Senegal beat to win AFCON?
They defeated Egypt in the final.
Is Senegal expected to win AFCON again?
With their current squad depth and structure, Senegal remain strong contenders in future tournaments.
Where to Verify Senegal AFCON Records
For authoritative confirmation, consult:
- Confederation of African Football (CAF) official competition records
- BBC Sport’s AFCON historical coverage
- FIFA’s tournament summaries
These sources consistently confirm Senegal’s single AFCON title.
Final Summary: Senegal Won AFCON How Many Times?
Let’s wrap it up clearly:
- AFCON titles: 1
- Senegal AFCON win year: 2021
- Finals reached: 3
- Finals won: 1
Senegal’s AFCON victory marked the end of decades of frustration and the beginning of a golden era in African football.
