1978 African Cup of Nations
The 1978 African Cup of Nations was the eleventh edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the football championship of Africa (CAF). It was hosted by Accra and Kumasi, Ghana. The format of the competition changed from 1976: the field of eight teams was still split into two groups of four, but the final group stage was eliminated in favor of the knockout semifinals used in tournaments prior to 1976. Ghana won its third championship, beating Uganda in the final 2−0.
Tournament details | |
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Host country | Ghana |
Dates | 5–16 March |
Teams | 8 (from 1 confederation) |
Venue(s) | 2 (in 2 host cities) |
Final positions | |
Champions | ![]() |
Runners-up | ![]() |
Third place | ![]() |
Fourth place | ![]() |
Tournament statistics | |
Matches played | 16 |
Goals scored | 38 (2.38 per match) |
Top scorer(s) | ![]() ![]() ![]() (3 goals each) |
Best player(s) | ![]() |
Ivory Coast and Mali were both disqualified in the second round of the qualifiers: Ivory Coast for using an ineligible player, and Mali after stadium security and police assaulted match officials during the first leg. As Mali had received a first qualifying round walkover when Niger failed to appear, Upper Volta, who had been beaten by the Ivory Coast in the first qualifying round, were given their place in the final tournament.
Qualified teams
The 8 qualified teams are:
1 Ivory Coast originally qualified by beating Mali 2-1 on aggregate, but both teams were disqualified: Ivory Coast for fielding an ineligible player in the second leg, and Mali due to police and stadium security assaulting the match officials during the first leg. Upper Volta, who had lost to Ivory Coast in the previous round, were given their place in the finals.[1]
Squads
Venues
Accra | Kumasi | |
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Accra Sports Stadium | Kumasi Sports Stadium | |
Capacity: 40,000 | Capacity: 40,500 | |
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Group stage
- Teams highlighted in green progress to the quarterfinals
- 2 points awarded for a win and 1 point for a draw at group stage
Group A
Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 5 |
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3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 4 |
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3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 3 |
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3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 9 | −7 | 0 |
Nigeria ![]() | 4–2 | ![]() |
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Chukwu ![]() Amiesimaka ![]() Odegbami ![]() |
Report | Hien ![]() Koïta ![]() |
Zambia ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() |
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P. Phiri ![]() B. Phiri ![]() |
Report |
Ghana ![]() | 3–0 | ![]() |
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Alhassan ![]() Polo ![]() |
Report |
Group B
Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | +3 | 4 |
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3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 4 |
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3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 3 |
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3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 1 |
Uganda ![]() | 3–1 | ![]() |
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Omondi ![]() Semwanga ![]() Kisitu ![]() |
Report | ![]() |
Knockout stage
Semi-finals | Final | |||||
14 March – Accra | ||||||
![]() | 1 | |||||
16 March – Accra | ||||||
![]() | 0 | |||||
![]() | 2 | |||||
14 March – Kumasi | ||||||
![]() | 0 | |||||
![]() | 2 | |||||
![]() | 1 | |||||
Third place | ||||||
16 March – Accra | ||||||
![]() | 1 | |||||
![]() | 11 |
Third place match
1 The match was abandoned after Tunisia walked off in the 42nd minute with the score tied at 1-1 to protest the officiating. Nigeria were awarded a 2-0 win, and Tunisia were banned from the next tournament.[2]
Scorers
- The two scorers in the third place match not added.
- 3 goals
- 2 goals
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- 1 goal
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CAF Team of the Tournament
Goalkeeper
Defenders
Mokhtar Dhouieb
James Kuuku Dadzie
Al-Qasmy
Al-Araby
Midfielders
Moses Nsereko
Karim Abdul Razak
Adolf Armah
Phillip Omondi
Forwards
References
- "African Nations Cup 1978". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
- "16 March 1978 - The Eagles Of Carthage Get Grounded". www.thisdayinfootballhistory.blogspot.com. Retrieved 30 March 2013.