From the roar of the crowd in Yaoundé to the tension of an AFCON final in Cairo, Cameroon’s national team—Les Lions Indomptables—has collected a proud legacy. But how many trophies has Cameroon won in its storied history? In this article, CantoKick will explore every major title, regional cup, and national honor that defines the legacy of Cameroonian football.
The Definition: What Counts As A “Trophy”?
Before we dive into numbers, we need clarity. What counts as a “trophy” when we talk about Cameroon’s national team?
- We will focus on major international honors (continental, intercontinental, and global competitions) won by the senior men’s national team.
- We will also mention regional / sub-continental / friendly trophies for fuller context.
- We will not count youth tournaments, club trophies, or unofficial exhibitions except in a dedicated note.
With that in mind, let’s break down the trophy haul of Cameroon.
Continental Success: Dominance in Africa
African Cup of Nations (AFCON)
By far Cameroon’s greatest achievements come in Africa’s top stage. The Indomitable Lions have won the CAF African Cup of Nations 5 times:
- 1984
- 1988
- 2000
- 2002
- 2017
In addition, they have finished as runners-up twice (1986 and 2008) and claimed third place twice (1972, 2021).
So the AFCON trophy count = 5.
Intercontinental & Global Honors
Afro-Asian Cup of Nations
Cameroon added an intercontinental flavor to its trophy cabinet by winning the Afro-Asian Cup of Nations once, in 1985.
FIFA Confederations Cup (Finals Stage)
While Cameroon never won the Confederations Cup, they came very close: runners-up in 2003.
So, no full trophy here, but a notable podium finish.
Regional & Sub-Continental Trophies
Beyond Africa and global competitions, Cameroon has also captured various regional titles:
- UDEAC Cup: Champions 4 times (1984, 1986, 1987, 1989)
- CEMAC Cup: Champions 3 times (2003, 2005, 2008)
- Central African Games (Football): Gold medals in 1976 and 1987
- LG Cup (friendly tournament): Won once (2011)
These regional trophies add depth to the honor roll, but are often considered secondary in prestige.
Tallying Up: How Many Trophies Has Cameroon Won?
Let’s sum up the major trophy categories:
| Competition Type | Trophies Won | Notes |
| Africa Cup of Nations | 5 | The core continental trophies |
| Afro-Asian Cup | 1 | Intercontinental honor |
| Regional / Sub-continental | (4 + 3 + 2 + 1) = 10+ | Various UDEAC, CEMAC, Central African, friendly cups |
Thus, if we count only major continental and intercontinental trophies, Cameroon has 6 major trophies. If we include regional and friendly honors, the total recognized trophies climb to around 16–20, depending on which regional cups you count.
To be precise: Cameroon’s senior men’s national team has officially won 6 major trophies in top-level competitions.
Why Some Counts Vary
Some sources report slightly different figures for Cameroon’s trophy count. Why?
- Some counts include friendly tournaments and invitationals (like the LG Cup) as trophies.
- Others include youth championships, Olympic medals, or club-level trophies, which can inflate the number.
- Also, whether to count runners-up or third places as “trophies” varies by tradition.
That’s why you may see sources claiming “Cameroon has won 11 trophies” (counting podiums) or “Cameroon has 16 trophies” (adding regional cups). But the more conservative and accepted count for major trophies is 6.
Context: Cameroon Among Africa’s Elite
Winning 5 AFCON titles places Cameroon among Africa’s top nations historically. Only Egypt (7 titles) and Nigeria (3–4, depending on era) are consistently ahead. Cameroon’s ability to capture these trophies across decades (1980s, early 2000s, and 2017) shows longevity.
The Afro-Asian Cup win is rarer still — only a few African teams claimed intercontinental cups like that. The close 2003 run in Confederations Cup further underscores that Cameroon, at its peak, was competitive on the global stage.
Recent Trophy Moments & Legacy
- 2017 AFCON triumph: Cameroon’s most recent continental title. The final was dramatic — Vincent Aboubakar scored a late winner to edge out Egypt.
- 2003 Confederations Cup: Cameroon reached the final, losing to France, but the run remains one of their greatest moments on non-African soil.
- Regional dominance: The UDEAC and CEMAC cups may not be globally famous, but they highlight regional strength and consistency in Central Africa.
Cameroon’s trophy record isn’t just about the titles — it’s about iconic players, golden eras (like the 1980s and early 2000s), and unforgettable matches that resonate across generations.
Final Thoughts
How many trophies has Cameroon won? At the highest level, Cameroon has secured 6 major trophies — five Africa Cup of Nations titles plus one Afro-Asian Cup. If you factor in regional and friendly competitions, that number climbs notably higher, reflecting the depth of their success across Central Africa.
For CantoKick readers: if you want to explore Cameroon’s all-time squad, match-by-match performance in each AFCON win, or compare their trophy haul with Nigeria, Egypt, or Ghana — I’d be glad to dig deeper. Just ask!
