Tournament details | |
---|---|
Host country | Ghana |
Dates | 5–16 March |
Teams | 8 |
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) | ![]() |
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 (except 1959). Ghana won its third championship, beating Uganda in the final 2−0.
Ivory Coast and Mali were both disqualified in the second round of qualification: Ivory Coast for using an ineligible player, and Mali after stadium security and police assaulted match officials during the first leg. Since Mali had received a first round walkover after Niger failed to appear, Upper Volta, who had been beaten by the Ivory Coast in the first round, were given their place in the final tournament.
Qualified teams
The 8 qualified teams are:
Team | Qualified as | Qualified on | Previous appearances in tournament[lower-alpha 1] |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Hosts | 4 (1963, 1965, 1968, 1970) | |
![]() | Holders | 14 March 1976 | 2 (1972, 1976) |
![]() | 2nd round winners | 26 June 1977 | 2 (1963, 1976) |
![]() | 2nd round winners | 26 June 1977 | 4 (1962, 1968, 1974, 1976) |
![]() | 2nd round winners | 26 June 1977 | 1 (1974) |
![]() | 2nd round winners | 17 July 1977 | 0 (debut) |
![]() | 2nd round winners | 31 July 1977 | 3 (1968 1972, 1974) |
![]() | 2nd round winners | 16 October 1977 | 3 (1962, 1963, 1965) |
- Notes
- ↑ Bold indicates champion for that year, Italic indicates host.
- ↑ 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
The competition was played in two venues in Accra and Kumasi.
Accra | Kumasi | |
---|---|---|
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 |
![]() |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 4 |
![]() |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 3 |
![]() |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 9 | −7 | 0 |
Nigeria ![]() | 4–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Chukwu ![]() Amiesimaka ![]() Odegbami ![]() |
Report | Hien ![]() Koïta ![]() |
Zambia ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
P. Phiri ![]() B. Phiri ![]() |
Report |
Ghana ![]() | 3–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Alhassan ![]() Polo ![]() |
Report |
Group B
Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | +3 | 4 |
![]() |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 4 |
![]() |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 3 |
![]() |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 1 |
Uganda ![]() | 3–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Omondi ![]() Semwanga ![]() Kisitu ![]() |
Report | Mamounoubala ![]() |
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 |
Semi-finals
Ghana ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Abdul Razak ![]() |
Report |
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 suspended for two years (also banning them from the next tournament).[2]
Final
Scorers
- The two scorers in the third place match not added.
- 3 goals
- 2 goals
- 1 goal
Jacques Mamounoubala
Willie Klutse
Akid
Mohammed "Polo" Ahmed
Adokiye Amiesimaka
Christian Chukwu
Martins Eyo
Ali Kaabi
Mohsen Labidi
Samuel Musenze
Abdulla Nasur
Moses Nsereko
Edward Semwanga
Hubert Hien
Mamadaou Koïta
Obby Kapita
Bizwell Phiri
Patrick Phiri
Baba Otu Mohammed
CAF Team of the Tournament
Goalkeeper
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
References
- 1 2 "African Nations Cup 1978". RSSSF. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
- ↑ "16 March 1978 – The Eagles Of Carthage Get Grounded". thisdayinfootballhistory.blogspot.com. Retrieved 30 March 2013.