Strengthening Ethiopian Football: Temer Properties Joins AFCON 2025 Journey

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is a biennial tournament eagerly awaited by Africans. This continental competition serves as a prestigious stage where star players from European clubs represent their national teams, drawing immense global attention. Although Ethiopia’s current standing in the tournament does not reflect its storied history, Temer Properties has fulfilled its social responsibility by sponsoring the broadcast of this competition for the sports-loving public.

The Origins of AFCON: Ethiopia as a Founder, Left Behind

Ethiopia played a pivotal role in the birth of the Africa Cup of Nations. While most African nations were still emerging from colonial rule, Ethiopia—having never been colonized—took the lead in uniting Africans through sport.

The “Father of African Football,” Yidnekatchew Tessema, hailed from Ethiopia. He was a founder and president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and played a monumental role in making the first Africa Cup of Nations a reality.

• The First Tournament:Held in 1957 in Sudan.
• Original Participants:Only three countries competed—Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt.
• Growth:By 1968, the number of participants grew to eight teams.

Today, the 68-year-old competition is entering its 35th edition, hosted by the North African nation of Morocco. Running from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, 24 nations will battle for the championship.

Pharaoh’s Rise – Walia’s Fall

Egypt claimed the title in the very first tournament in 1957. The “Pharaohs” lead the continent with seven titles (1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, and 2011) and have reached the final on three other occasions.

• Cameroon:Follows Egypt with five titles (1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, and 2017).
• Ghana:The “Black Stars” hold four titles (1963, 1965, 1978, and 1982).
• Nigeria & Ivory Coast:These West African giants have each won three times. Ivory Coast, the 2023 champions, head to Morocco aiming to defend their title.
• Algeria & DR Congo:Each has two titles to their name.

Eight nations have won the trophy once: Ethiopia, Sudan, Congo Brazzaville, Morocco, South Africa, Tunisia, Zambia, and Senegal.

Ethiopia, despite being a founder, has won the cup only once—in 1962 during the 3rd edition. Playing at home in Addis Ababa against Egypt, Ethiopia secured a 4-2 victory with goals from Luciano Vassallo (2), Italo Vassallo, and Mengistu Worku.

Though Ethiopia hosted the tournament again in 1968 and 1976, it could not reclaim the trophy. After a long absence, the team returned to the tournament in 2013 in South Africa after 31 years. Their most recent appearance was in the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon, where they finished at the bottom of their group with a single point. While Ethiopia was a pioneer in uniting brotherly nations through football, its success on the pitch has not matched its legendary status in athletics.

Temer for Ethiopian Football

Temer Properties aspires to see Ethiopia’s name resonate in African and international football once again. To fulfill its social corporate responsibility, the company is providing various forms of support.

Even though Ethiopia is not participating in the current tournament in Morocco, Temer Properties has sponsored several television and radio stations to ensure that the football-loving public can watch and follow the highly anticipated matches.

Understanding the role sport plays in a nation’s holistic development, Temer Properties pledges to continue doing its part to grow the sector.