Kennedy Mweene is the first and only goalkeeper to score in the AFCON
As the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicks off on Sunday, December 21, 2025, in Morocco, the tournament once again invites memories of moments that have shaped its rich history.
Among them stands a record so rare it may never be repeated, the day a goalkeeper scored at AFCON.
That moment belongs to Kennedy Mweene.
In January 2013, in Nelspruit, Zambia faced Nigeria in a tense Group C encounter.
The Chipolopolo were the defending champions, carrying the weight of expectation after their emotional 2012 triumph.
Nigeria took the lead through Emmanuel Emenike early in the second half, and it seemed Zambia’s hopes were slipping away. But football had a twist prepared.
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With Zambia desperate for a result, they pushed for an equalizer and were eventually awarded a penalty with five minutes left on the clock.
Mweene, Zambia’s calm and commanding goalkeeper, stepped forward. With the confidence of a seasoned outfield player, he struck the ball firmly from the penalty spot, sending the Nigerian goalkeeper the wrong way.
In that instant, history was made. Mweene became the first and still the only, goalkeeper to score a goal at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The match ended 1–1 and Zambia exited from the group stage.
Beyond that iconic strike, Mweene was a pillar for Zambian football, earning over 120 caps and representing his country at multiple AFCON tournaments.
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