The curse haunting African Cup of Nations champions struck again as Senegal failed to progress to the quarter-finals in the 2023 edition, suffering a defeat to Ivory Coast in a penalty shootout, concluding 5-4.
The curse of the title holder continues, with teams victorious in the African Cup of Nations unable to advance beyond the Round of 16 in the subsequent tournament.
From the Pharaohs to the Teranga Lions
The curse began with the Egyptian national team, who secured the African Cup of Nations in 2010 but faltered to qualify for the 2012 edition.
Zambia clinched the title in 2012 but stumbled in the group stage in the 2013 tournament.
Nigeria triumphed in 2013 but failed to secure a spot in the 2015 edition.
Ivory Coast claimed the 2015 title, and true to the holder’s curse, could not progress past the group stage in 2017.
Cameroon emerged victorious in 2017 but faced an early exit in the Round of 16 in the 2019 edition.
Desert Warriors secured the title in 2019 with the memorable cry of “Put it in the net, Riyad.”
However, Algeria couldn’t advance beyond the group stage in 2021.
The cycle concluded with Senegal winning the 2021 African Cup of Nations and subsequently faltering to progress past the Round of 16 in the 2023 tournament, marking twelve years of the persistent title curse.
