HistoryData
general2022

2021 Africa Cup of Nations — 2021 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations

January 1, 2022

Senegal claimed their first Africa Cup of Nations title at the 33rd edition, hosted by Cameroon in January–February 2022.

Quick Facts

Year
2022
Category
general

Key Facts

Edition
33rd Africa Cup of Nations
Host country
Cameroon
Tournament dates
9 January – 6 February 2022
Final score
Senegal 4–2 Egypt (penalties, 0–0 aet)
Venues used
6 venues across 5 cities
Defending champions' result
Algeria eliminated in group stage

By the Numbers

33
Edition
9
Tournament dates
4
Final score
6
Venues used

Location

Map of CameroonMap of CameroonCameroon

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

Originally scheduled for June–July 2021, the tournament was first rescheduled to January 2021 due to unfavourable climatic conditions in Cameroon, then moved a second time to January 2022 because of the COVID-19 pandemic's impact across Africa, while retaining the '2021' name for sponsorship reasons.

Event

The 33rd Africa Cup of Nations was held across six venues in five Cameroonian cities from 9 January to 6 February 2022. Defending champions Algeria were knocked out in the group stage. Senegal faced Egypt in the final, which ended 0–0 after extra time, with Senegal winning 4–2 on penalties to claim their first-ever AFCON title.

Consequence

Senegal's victory ended their long wait for continental honours. The tournament was overshadowed by widespread criticism over organisational failures and refereeing controversies, prompting calls for CAF to address governance and logistics standards at future editions.

Timeline Context

Timeline around 202220222019202020212023202420252022 FIFA World Cup — 22nd FIFA World Cup2022 Winter Olympics — 24th edition of Winter Olympics, in Beijing, ChinaEurovision Song Contest 2022 — 66th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest2022 Kazakh unrest — series of protests in Kazakhstan that began on 2 January 2022 after an LPG price increaseMahsa Amini protests — Iranian protest movement in 2022–20232022 Formula One World Championship — 73rd running of the Formula One World ChampionshipDeaths in 2022 — list of notable deaths in 20222022–2023 mpox outbreak — outbreak of viral disease2021-africa-cup-of-nations-2021-edition-of-the-africa-cup-2022