Football is undoubtedly the most popular sport in Africa, captivating fans across the continent with dazzling skills, intense rivalries, and moments of magic. International tournaments like the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and FIFA World Cup allow African teams to showcase their quality on the global stage.
As we move through 2024, several African sides have established themselves as forces to be reckoned with, not only in Africa but worldwide. In this blog post, we rank the top 10 African national teams heading into 2024 based on recent form, achievement, FIFA rankings, and overall quality.
1. Morocco
FIFA Ranking: 12
Best AFCON Finish: Champions 1976
World Cup Appearances: 6 (Last 2018)
The Moroccan national team, nicknamed the Atlas Lions, tops the list as the best football team in Africa in 2024. They are currently ranked 12th in the world by FIFA, the highest of any African team.
Morocco had a historic run at the 2022 World Cup, becoming the first African team to reach the semi-finals. They topped their group without losing a match, defeating Belgium, Canada, and drawing Croatia. They went on to stun Spain on penalties in the Round of 16 before pulling off another upset against Portugal in the quarter-finals.
While they could not get past France to reach the final, their 4th place finish was the best ever by an African team at the World Cup. Morocco is led by stars like Achraf Hakimi, Hakim Ziyech, Sofyan Amrabat, and Yassine Bounou. Expect them to contend at AFCON 2025 as they look to add to their lone AFCON title in 1976.
2. Senegal
FIFA Ranking: 17
Best AFCON Finish: Champions 2021
World Cup Appearances: 3 (Last 2022)
The current African champions, Senegal retains their spot as the 2nd best team on the continent. Led by the likes of Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Edouard Mendy, Senegal claimed their first ever AFCON title in 2021 by defeating Egypt on penalties.
They built on that success by reaching the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup, matching their best ever finish. With a squad full of talent playing at top clubs in Europe, Senegal will aim to defend their AFCON crown on home soil in 2025.
3. Nigeria
FIFA Ranking: 28
Best AFCON Finish: Champions 1980, 1994, 2013
World Cup Appearances: 6 (Last 2018)
Despite losing to Ivory Coast in the AFCON 2023 final, Nigeria moves up to 3rd best team in Africa after an impressive tournament run. Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, and Alex Iwobi lead a new generation of Nigerian stars making their mark.
Osimhen finished as the top scorer in Serie A 2022-23 for champions Napoli, while Ndidi and Iwobi starred for Leicester City and Everton in the Premier League. The Super Eagles will look to claim their 4th AFCON title soon.
4. Ivory Coast
FIFA Ranking: 39
Best AFCON Finish: Champions 1992, 2015, 2023
World Cup Appearances: 3 (Last 2014)
The host nation emerged triumphant at AFCON 2023 to capture their 3rd continental title[16]. Led by the likes of Sebastien Haller, Franck Kessie, Eric Bailly, and Simon Deli, the Elephants overcame defending champions Senegal in the Round of 16 before defeating Nigeria 2-1 in the final.
The core of the Ivory Coast team is still relatively young, meaning they could establish themselves as Africa’s next great footballing power if they build on this success.
5. Egypt
FIFA Ranking: 36
Best AFCON Finish: Champions 1957–1959, 1986–2010, 2022
World Cup Appearances: 3 (Last 2018)
Despite a disappointing AFCON 2023 where they crashed out in the Round of 16, Egypt still boasts the most successful national team in Africa[14]. With 7 AFCON titles and 3 World Cup appearances, Egypt is always a threat with superstar Mohamed Salah leading their attack.
Salah is arguably Africa’s greatest ever footballer, on pace to break the Premier League scoring record for Liverpool this season. If he guides Egypt to another AFCON crown, he could cement his legendary status.
6. Tunisia
FIFA Ranking: 32
Best AFCON Finish: Champions 2004
World Cup Appearances: 6 (Last 2022)
Tunisia holds steady as the 6th best African team in 2024. They had a decent AFCON 2023 run before being upended by Burkina Faso on penalties in the quarter-finals. Tunisia has struggled to match their 2004 AFCON winning form but has an experienced squad mixed with some emerging talents.
If players like Wahbi Khazri, Youssef Msakni, and Hannibal Mejbri can click together, Tunisia can challenge Africa’s elite once again.
7. Algeria
FIFA Ranking: 43
Best AFCON Finish: Champions 1990, 2019
World Cup Appearances: 4 (Last 2014)
After crashing out of AFCON 2023 in the group stage, Algeria drops down the rankings to #7. The defending champions suffered a shock defeat to Equatorial Guinea and drew Ivory Coast after beating Sierra Leone.
Algeria still boasts plenty of talent like Riyad Mahrez, Youcef Belaili, and Ismael Bennacer. They will be hungry to reassert their quality during the 2023 AFCON qualifiers and reclaim their title in 2025.
8. Mali
FIFA Ranking: 47
Best AFCON Finish: Runners-up 1972
World Cup Appearances: 0
Mali emerges as a rising African force, now ranked 8th best in 2024. They have a good mixture of veterans like Moussa Djenepo and Amadou Haidara combined with young stars like El Bilal Toure and Ibrahima Kone.
After reaching the AFCON 2023 semi-finals before being knocked out by Ivory Coast, Mali controlled their World Cup qualifying group by winning 5 out of 6 matches. They could be a dark horse contender at the 2026 World Cup.
9. Cameroon
As 8-time AFCON semi-finalists and 5-time champions, Cameroon retains a spot among Africa’s elite at #9. Led by the legendary Samuel Eto’o as president of their football federation, Cameroon boasts stars like Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Karl Toko Ekambi.
They suffered a disappointing AFCON 2023 by crashing out in the Round of 16 but still possess the quality to challenge Africa’s best teams on their day. Cameroon will aim for better results in their upcoming qualifiers.
10. South Africa
After claiming the AFCON 2023 bronze medal, South Africa breaks into the top 10 rankings. Under coach Hugo Broos, South Africa does not have many global superstars but has formed an organized, cohesive unit capable of matching more talented sides.
With young talents like Lyle Foster emerging, Bafana Bafana could be building towards a brighter future if they continue their solid team ethic.
11. Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso holds strong at #11 in Africa. They knocked out Tunisia on penalties to reach the AFCON 2023 semi-finals before being eliminated by hosts Ivory Coast. Led by captain Bertrand Traore, Burkina Faso plays with great energy and has the ability to trouble Africa’s best sides.
12. DR Congo
With a squad full of European based talent, DR Congo takes the #12 spot. After getting knocked out in the AFCON 2023 quarter-finals by surprise package Guinea, DR Congo will expect better results in upcoming qualifiers. Look for players like Cedric Bakambu and Dieumerci Mbokani to lead the Leopards.
13. Cape Verde
Making their AFCON debut in 2023, Cape Verde impressed by topping their group and reaching the quarter-finals before losing to Senegal[6]. Their upset wins over Cameroon and Ghana showed Cape Verde can compete with Africa’s giants. With a growing domestic league, they could become a rising power.
14. Ghana
Ghana suffered a disappointing AFCON 2023 campaign, crashing out in the group stage after losses to minnows Cape Verde and Comoros[6]. But with players like Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew, Andre Ayew, and others playing key roles for European clubs, Ghana still fields one of Africa’s most talented squads. They will be hungry to atone for their failure by qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
15. Guinea
One of the AFCON 2023 surprise packages, Guinea knocked out Nigeria and Egypt to reach the quarter-finals before narrowly losing to Senegal[6]. Led by Liverpool’s Naby Keita and other European based stars, Guinea could become a dangerous sleeper team if they build on this momentum.
16. Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea pulled off a massive 4-0 upset of defending champions Algeria at AFCON 2023, showcasing their impressive team ethic[6]. Veterans like Emilio Nsue combined well with young talents like Pablo Ganet to take Equatorial Guinea to the quarter-finals. They could be a threat to better opponents if they maintain their form.
17. Gabon
With star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and midfield wizard Mario Lemina, Gabon has the talent to compete with Africa’s best when firing on all cylinders[8]. They narrowly lost to Burkina Faso on penalties in the AFCON 2023 Round of 16. If they improve defensively, Gabon’s offensive stars could help them go on a run.
18. Zambia
Zambia stunned Morocco 4-2 in their AFCON 2023 group match, showing how dangerous their quick counter-attacking style can be[6]. They have struggled for consistency since winning AFCON 2012 but have the foundation to rebuild towards another strong period.
19. Uganda
Back at AFCON for the first time since 2017, Uganda passed a difficult group test by drawing champions Senegal before narrowly losing to Morocco and crashing out to Egypt[6]. Led by forwards Muhammad Shaban and Milton Karisa, Uganda could be a growing force if they build on this experience.
20. Angola
Veterans like captain Fabrice Maieco and Bastos Quissanga helped Angola advance out of a difficult AFCON 2023 group alongside Mali and Tunisia before losing 4-1 to hosts Ivory Coast in the Round of 16[6]. If Angola develops more emerging talents, they have the leadership to orchestrate more surprises.
21-54
The remaining African teams have plenty of potential but need to show more consistency against elite competition before being considered top contenders. Key names to watch from these nations include:
- Namibia – Peter Shalulile
- Malawi – Gabadinho Mhango
- Comoros – Youssouf M’Changama
- Gambia – Musa Barrow
- Mauritania – Aboubakar Kamara
- Guinea-Bissau – Mama Balde
- Zimbabwe – Khama Billiat
- Sudan – Saifeldin Malik Bakhit
- Ethiopia – Getaneh Kebede
- Madagascar – Njiva Rakotoharimalala
- Tanzania – Mbwana Samatta
- Niger – Victorien Adebayor
- Mozambique – Geny Catamo
- Eswatini – Sabelo Ndzinisa
- Lesotho – Tumelo Khutlang
- Botswana – Mogakolodi Ngele
- Seychelles – Roddy Melanie
- South Sudan – Atak Lual
- Sao Tome and Principe – Luis Leal
- Chad – Casimir Ninga
- Somalia
- Eritrea
- Djibouti
- Central African Republic
- Liberia
- Mauritius
- Rwanda
- Burundi
- Sierra Leone
- Benin
- Togo
- Libya
- Congo
- Kenya
Frequently Asked Questions
Which African football team has won the most Africa Cup of Nations titles?
Egypt has won the Africa Cup of Nations a record 7 times – in 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, and 2010. They have the most AFCON titles.
Cameroon is second with 5 AFCON titles – in 1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, and 2017.
Ghana is third with 4 AFCON titles – in 1963, 1965, 1978, and 1982.
Which African football team has won the most recent AFCOP?
Ivory Coast won the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, defeating Nigeria 2-1 in the final. The tournament was held in 2024. This was Ivory Coast’s third AFCON title after previously winning in 1992 and 2015.
Which African football team has won the most AFCOP in a row?
Egypt has the record for most consecutive AFCON titles with 3 wins in 2006, 2008, and 2010 under coach Hassan Shehata. No other African team has managed to win three AFCON tournaments consecutively.
While traditional powers like Egypt, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Senegal lead the way, the gap is clearly closing as smaller African nations develop talent and close the infrastructure gap. Morocco sets the standard for now after their World Cup run but the door is open for a changing of the guard over the next decade if less prominent teams can build consistency.
