1978 African Cup of Nations

Updated on Nov 19, 2024

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Host country Ghana Champions Ghana (3rd title) Fourth place Tunisia Best player Karim Abdul Razak Teams 8		Venue(s) 2 (in 2 host cities) Runners-up Uganda Matches played 16 Dates 5 Mar 1978 – 16 Mar 1978 Goals scored 38

Champion Ghana national football team Third place Nigeria national football team Similar 1982 African Cup of N, 1976 African Cup of N, 1957 African Cup of N, 1974 African Cup of N, 1984 African Cup of N

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.

The Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) and Mali were disqualified from this competition in 1978 in the second round of the qualifiers. Upper Volta, who had been beaten by the Ivory Coast in the first qualifying round, were given a place in the finals at their expense.

Qualified teams

The 8 qualified teams are:

Mali were disqualified because of an attack by the security forces on the referees in the first leg; Ivory Coast for using an ineligible player in the second leg; Upper Volta, losers to Ivory Coast in the previous round, were given a place in the finals

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

Third place match

¹The 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 CAF competitions for two years.