The Olympic Games have given African football two of its greatest triumphs: Nigeria's gold in Atlanta in 1996 and Cameroon's gold in Sydney in 2000.
The format
Since 1992 the men's Olympic football tournament has been an under-23 competition, with each team allowed up to three older "over-age" players since 1996. African places are decided through CAF's under-23 qualifying, which in recent cycles has used the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations.
Early appearances
Egypt were the first African nation at the Olympic football tournament, in 1920. For decades African teams struggled against European and South American sides, but by the 1980s and 1990s they were regularly reaching the knock-out rounds.
1992: Ghana's bronze
Ghana won the bronze medal in Barcelona in 1992, the first Olympic football medal for an African nation, with a young squad that included future stars of the Black Stars.
1996: Nigeria's "Dream Team"
Nigeria's under-23 side, featuring Nwankwo Kanu, Jay-Jay Okocha and Celestine Babayaro, beat Brazil in the semi-final and Argentina 3–2 in the final in Atlanta. It remains one of the most celebrated results in African football history.
2000: Cameroon's gold
Four years later Cameroon, with a young Samuel Eto'o and Patrick Mboma, beat Spain on penalties in the final in Sydney, making it two African Olympic champions in a row.
Since then
Nigeria won silver in Beijing in 2008 after losing the final to Argentina, and bronze in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Morocco reached the semi-finals in Paris in 2024 and won the bronze medal, another milestone for the Atlas Lions' golden generation.
Why it matters
The Olympics showcase players before they peak: many of Africa's Olympic heroes went on to star at the World Cup and in Europe. Explore their careers on our player pages.