CAN has been played since 1957 as the 2023 edition is set to be the 34th edition. Sporstworldghana will bring you the 20 greatest moments of AFCON since its inception 66 years ago.
#20. Mohammed Ad-Dabi scored four for Egypt in 1957 v Ethiopia in the finals
16th February 1957 was a beautiful day for Alexandria-born Mohammed Diab El-Attar, popularly known as Ad-Diba, as he was on target four times for Egypt against Ethiopia in the finals.
The first-ever AFCON was hosted by Sudan as three teams participated. They were Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia. South Africa was supposed to play in the semi-finals against Ethiopia but was disqualified due to apartheid as they insisted on submitting a squad only full of white-skinned footballers.
Ethiopia had a bye to the finals whilst in the other semi-final Egypt beat the host Sudan 2-1 in Khartoum at the Municipal Stadium with Raafat Atia becoming the first scorer of AFCON with a 22nd-minute penalty for the Pharaohs. Ahmed El Bashir equalises in the 58th minute for the host as Ad-Diba’s 72nd-minute strike sent Egypt to the finals.
Sudan automatically finished third place as Egypt massacred Ethiopia 4-0 in Khartoum in the finals in front of 30,000 spectators. Ad-Diba scored all four goals for Egypt and no player has been able to repeat this wonderful feat since then. He was the top scorer of the AFCON 1957 with 5 goals
Ad-Diba spent 14 years with his hometown club Al Ittihad Alexandria from 1944 to 1958 scoring 81 goals for the club. His stellar performance was a warning to the continent that Egypt would dominate this prestigious competition.
Egypt has won the AFCON record 7 times. Ad-Diba laid the foundation and his name will always remain in the history of African football and Egyptian football.
