The winner of the first final was Egypt, who defeated Ethiopia 4–0 in Khartoum, after extra time.

[1] The last final hosted in Abidjan in 2024 was won by the Ivory Coast, defeating Nigeria 2–1.

[2] The Africa Cup of Nations final is the last match of the competition, and the result determines which team will be declared African champion.

If such a match remains tied after extra time, it is decided by a penalty shoot-out.

The 34 finals to-date have produced twelve drawn matches, the eventual winners of which have been determined variously by replay (1974), extra time (1962, 1965), or penalty shoot-out (1982, 1986, 1992, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2012, 2015, 2021).