๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐: ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐
{"remix_data":[],"remix_entry_point":"challenges","source_tags":[],"origin":"unknown","total_draw_time":0,"total_draw_actions":0,"layers_used":0,"brushes_used":0,"photos_added":0,"total_editor_actions":{},"tools_used":{},"is_sticker":false,"edited_since_last_sticker_save":false,"containsFTESticker":false}
The Africa Cup of Nations remains the ultimate prize in African football, but for some of the continentโs greatest stars, the coveted trophy proved elusive despite glittering careers at club and international level.
With Egypt leading the all-time winnersโ chart with seven titles, followed by Cameroon (five), Ghana (four) and Nigeria (three), the tournament has produced countless heroes. Yet, as AFCON 2025 gets underway in Morocco, several icons are still remembered for what they never won.
Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
At 33, Mohamed Salahโs international clock is ticking. Egyptโs captain has twice come agonisingly close to AFCON glory, finishing runners-up in 2017 and 2021.
Egypt last won the tournament in 2010, before Salah fully established himself with the national team. The Pharaohs then missed three consecutive AFCONs between 2012 and 2015, delaying his debut until 2017. That first appearance ended in final defeat to Cameroon, while Senegal denied Egypt again on penalties in 2021. Injured at AFCON 2023, Salah watched Egypt crash out in the last 16, making the 2025 edition potentially his final chance to seal his legacy.
Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast)
Didier Drogba built a reputation as a big-game player at club level, but AFCON was unforgiving. The former Chelsea striker captained Ivory Coast in the 2006 and 2012 finals, losing both on penalties.
In 2006, he missed in the shootout against Egypt. Six years later, he sent a late penalty over the bar against Zambia before another heartbreaking shootout defeat. Ironically, Ivory Coast finally lifted the trophy in 2015, months after Drogba retired from international football.
George Weah (Liberia)
Africaโs only Ballon dโOr winner, George Weah shone brightly in Europe with Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan, but Liberiaโs limited football pedigree restricted his AFCON success.
Liberia qualified for the tournament just twice during his career, in 1996 and 2002, exiting at the group stage on both occasions. Weah scored only once at AFCON, but later served his country as president from 2018 to 2024, carving a legacy beyond football.
Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria)
Nwankwo Kanuโs elegance and intelligence earned him Champions League glory with Ajax and domestic success with Arsenal. He also won Olympic gold with Nigeria in 1996.
AFCON, however, brought frustration. His closest chance came in 2000 when Nigeria hosted the tournament and reached the final. Against Cameroon, Kanu missed in the penalty shootout as the Super Eagles lost. Despite multiple semi-final appearances, he retired without an AFCON winnerโs medal.
Michael Essien (Ghana)
Michael Essien was the engine of a talented Ghana side that emerged after the countryโs last AFCON triumph in 1982. A powerful and disciplined midfielder, he became a leader for the Black Stars, mirroring his success with Chelsea.
Ghana reached the final twice during Essienโs era, in 2010 and 2015, but fell short on both occasions. Despite his influence and consistency, AFCON glory never arrived, cementing his place among the greatest players never to win the tournament.
As AFCON 2025 unfolds, these legends remain reminders that greatness is not always defined by medals โ sometimes, it is shaped by near-misses and enduring impact.
