What Is 2015 Africa Cup of Nations

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2015 Africa Cup of Nations was held in Equatorial Guinea from January 17 to February 8, 2015, featuring 16 teams. Ivory Coast won their second title by defeating Ghana 9–8 in a penalty shootout after a 0–0 draw in the final.

Key Facts

The tournament took place from January 17 to February 8, 2015, in Equatorial Guinea
Ivory Coast won their second AFCON title, first since 1992
Equatorial Guinea hosted the event after Morocco withdrew due to Ebola fears
16 national teams participated in the finals tournament
Final match ended 0–0 after extra time; Ivory Coast won 9–8 on penalties

Overview

The 2015 Africa Cup of Nations was the 29th edition of the tournament, originally scheduled to be hosted by Morocco. However, due to concerns over the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa, Morocco requested a postponement, which was denied by CAF, leading to their withdrawal.

Equatorial Guinea stepped in as host just weeks before kickoff, making it one of the shortest-notice preparations in tournament history. Despite logistical challenges, the event proceeded with 16 teams competing across four cities: Bata, Malabo, Mongomo, and Ebebiyín.

Ivory Coast emerged champions, winning their second title after first claiming it in 1992, by defeating Ghana in a dramatic penalty shootout.
The final match ended 0–0 after extra time, with Ivory Coast prevailing 9–8 in penalties, marking one of the longest shootouts in AFCON history.
Equatorial Guinea reached the semifinals as hosts, their best-ever performance, defeating Tunisia and Burkina Faso en route.
A total of 29 matches were played, producing 62 goals, averaging about 2.14 goals per game.
Yaya Touré was named Player of the Tournament, leading Ivory Coast’s midfield with composure and leadership throughout.

How It Works

The tournament format followed a standard structure used in recent AFCON editions, combining group stages with knockout rounds. Sixteen teams were divided into four groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing.

Group Stage: Teams played round-robin matches; 12 points were awarded for a win, 1 for a draw. The top two teams from each group advanced based on points, goal difference, and head-to-head.
Knockout Stage: From the quarterfinals onward, matches were single elimination. Ties after 90 minutes went to extra time, then penalty shootouts if needed.
Host Nation Role:Equatorial Guinea replaced Morocco as host with only two months of preparation, utilizing existing stadiums and infrastructure.
Qualification Process: 51 CAF nations competed in preliminary rounds from 2012 to 2014 to secure one of 15 slots, with the host qualifying automatically.
Refereeing System: CAF appointed 24 referees from across Africa, using assistant referees and fourth officials, though no VAR was available.
Award Categories: Individual honors included Player of the Tournament, Top Scorer (shared by five players with 3 goals), and Fair Play Award.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations with the previous and subsequent editions in terms of host, winner, format, and key statistics.

Tournament	Host Country	Winner	Runner-Up	Top Scorer (Goals)
2013 AFCON	South Africa	Nigeria	Burkina Faso	Emmanuel Emenike (4)
2015 AFCON	Equatorial Guinea	Ivory Coast	Ghana	Multiple players (3)
2017 AFCON	Gabon	Cameroon	Egypt	Junior Kabananga (3)
2019 AFCON	UAE (hosted outside Africa)	Algeria	Senegal	Riyad Mahrez (4)
2021 AFCON	Cameroon	Senegal	Egypt	Vincent Aboubakar (8)

The 2015 edition stood out due to its last-minute host change and tightly contested matches, with no team scoring more than three goals in a single game. The shared top scorer title reflected the defensive nature of the tournament, contrasting with higher-scoring editions like 2021.

Why It Matters

The 2015 Africa Cup of Nations had significant political, sporting, and logistical implications for African football. It demonstrated CAF’s ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances while spotlighting emerging football nations like Equatorial Guinea.

Emergency Hosting:Equatorial Guinea stepping in highlighted the importance of contingency planning in international sports events.
Regional Unity: Despite Ebola fears, CAF maintained the tournament’s schedule, reinforcing solidarity among African nations.
Underdog Success: Equatorial Guinea’s semifinal run inspired smaller footballing nations to invest in development programs.
Ivory Coast’s Redemption: After years of near-misses, including losing finals in 2006 and 2012, their 2015 win was a historic breakthrough.
Global Attention: The dramatic final and penalty shootout garnered over 100 million viewers worldwide, boosting AFCON’s profile.
Legacy Impact: The event prompted upgrades to stadiums and transport in Equatorial Guinea, leaving a modest but lasting infrastructure legacy.

Ultimately, the 2015 tournament underscored resilience and passion in African football, combining unexpected challenges with unforgettable moments on the pitch.