1978 Africa Cup of Nations


The 1978 Africa Cup of Nations was the eleventh edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the football championship of Africa. 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.
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.

Squads

Venues


AccraKumasi
Accra Sports StadiumKumasi Sports Stadium
Capacity: 40,000Capacity: 40,500

Group stage

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Group B

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Knockout stage

Semi-finals

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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.

Final

Scorers

;3 goals
;2 goals
; 1 goal
Goalkeeper
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards