1978 African Cup of Nations
Encyclopedia
The 1978 African Cup of Nations was the 11th edition of the African 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, although the reason is unknown. 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.
----
Morocco qualified as holders
Ghana qualified as hosts
----
Mauritius won 4–3 on aggregate.
----
Algeria won 5–3 on aggregate.
----
Congo-Brazzaville won 4–2 on aggregate.
----
Tunisia won 5–4 on aggregate.
----
Guinea won 5–0 on aggregate.
----
Ethiopia won 4–2 on aggregate.
----
Senegal won 3–1 on aggregate.
----
Nigeria won 3–1 on aggregate.
----
Upper Volta progress, Cote d'Ivoire disqualified.
----
Mali progress, Niger disqualified.
----
Uganda progress, Tanzania disqualified.
----
Zambia progress, Sudan disqualified.
----
Zambia won 2–2 (6-5p) on aggregate.
----
Congo-Brazzaville won 6–5 on aggregate.
----
Uganda won 2–1 on aggregate.
----
Nigeria won 4–3 on aggregate.
----
Tunisia won 5–3 on aggregate.
----
Upper Volta qualified, Mali withdrew.
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
3 goals
2 goals
1 goal
Defenders Mokhtar Dhouieb
James Kuuku Dadzie Al-Qasmy Al-Araby
Midfielders Moses Nsereko Abdul Razak
Adolf Armah Phillip Omondi
Forwards Segun Odegbami
Mohammed Polo
African Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Cup of Nations or African Nations Cup, officially CAN , is the main international association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football , and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been...
, the football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
championship of Africa (CAF
Confederation of African Football
The Confederation of African Football is the administrative and controlling body for African association football.CAF represents the national football associations of Africa, runs continental, national, and club competitions, and controls the prize money, regulations and media rights to those...
). It was hosted by Accra
Accra
Accra is the capital and largest city of Ghana, with an urban population of 1,658,937 according to the 2000 census. Accra is also the capital of the Greater Accra Region and of the Accra Metropolitan District, with which it is coterminous...
and Kumasi
Kumasi
Kumasi is a city in southern central Ghana's Ashanti region. It is located near Lake Bosomtwe, in the Rain Forest Region about northwest of Accra. Kumasi is approximately north of the Equator and north of the Gulf of Guinea...
, Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
. The format of the competition changed from 1976
1976 African Cup of Nations
The 1976 African Cup of Nations was the tenth edition of the African Cup of Nations, the soccer championship of Africa . It was hosted by Ethiopia. The format of competition changed from 1974: the field of eight teams was still split into two groups of four, but a final stage was introduced with...
: 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
Ghana national football team
The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
won its third championship, beating Uganda
Uganda national football team
The Uganda national football team, nicknamed The Cranes, is the national team of Uganda and is controlled by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations...
in the final 2-0.
The Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire)
Côte d'Ivoire national football team
The Côte d'Ivoire National Football Team or Ivory Coast National Football Team, nicknamed Les Éléphants , represents Côte d'Ivoire in international football and is controlled by the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football...
and Mali
Mali national football team
The Mali national football team, nicknamed Les Aigles , is the national team of Mali and is controlled by the Fédération Malienne de Football. They have never qualified for the World Cup finals.-History:...
were disqualified from this competition in 1978 in the second round of the qualifiers, although the reason is unknown. Upper Volta
Burkina Faso national football team
The Burkina Faso national football team, nicknamed Les Etalons , is the national team of Burkina Faso and is controlled by the Fédération Burkinabé de Foot-Ball. They were known as the Upper Volta national football team until 1984, when Upper Volta became Burkina Faso...
, who had been beaten by the Ivory Coast in the first qualifying round, were given a place in the finals at their expense.
Host Cities & Venues
| Cities | Venues | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Accra Accra Accra is the capital and largest city of Ghana, with an urban population of 1,658,937 according to the 2000 census. Accra is also the capital of the Greater Accra Region and of the Accra Metropolitan District, with which it is coterminous... |
Accra Sports Stadium Accra Sports Stadium Accra Sports Stadium is a multi-use, 40,000 all-seater stadium in Accra, Ghana, mostly used for association football matches. Originally known as the Accra Sports Stadium, the stadium was renamed after Ohene Djan, the country's first Director of Sports, in 2004... |
|
| Kumasi Kumasi Kumasi is a city in southern central Ghana's Ashanti region. It is located near Lake Bosomtwe, in the Rain Forest Region about northwest of Accra. Kumasi is approximately north of the Equator and north of the Gulf of Guinea... |
Kumasi Sports Stadium Kumasi Sports Stadium Baba Yara Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Kumasi, Ghana. It is Ghana's largest stadium, with a capacity of 40,500... |
|
Qualifying Tournament
For qualification results, see 1978 African Cup of Nations (qualification)----
Morocco qualified as holders
Ghana qualified as hosts
----
Preliminary round
----Mauritius won 4–3 on aggregate.
----
First round
----Algeria won 5–3 on aggregate.
----
Congo-Brazzaville won 4–2 on aggregate.
----
Tunisia won 5–4 on aggregate.
----
Guinea won 5–0 on aggregate.
----
Ethiopia won 4–2 on aggregate.
----
Senegal won 3–1 on aggregate.
----
Nigeria won 3–1 on aggregate.
----
Upper Volta progress, Cote d'Ivoire disqualified.
----
Mali progress, Niger disqualified.
----
Uganda progress, Tanzania disqualified.
----
Zambia progress, Sudan disqualified.
----
Second round
----Zambia won 2–2 (6-5p) on aggregate.
----
Congo-Brazzaville won 6–5 on aggregate.
----
Uganda won 2–1 on aggregate.
----
Nigeria won 4–3 on aggregate.
----
Tunisia won 5–3 on aggregate.
----
Upper Volta qualified, Mali withdrew.
----
First round
- Teams highlighted in green progress to the Quarter Finals
- 2 points awarded for a win and 1 point for a draw at group stage
Group A
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | ||
| 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | ||
| 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 9 | ||
----
----
----
----
----
Group B
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | ||
| 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | ||
| 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | ||
| 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | ||
----
----
----
----
----
Semifinals
----Third place playoff
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.Final
Scorers
- The two scorers in the third place playoff match not added
CAF Team of the Tournament
Goalkeeper Mohammed Al-HazazMohammed Hazzaz
Mohammed Hazzaz is a Moroccan football goalkeeper who played for Morocco in the 1970 FIFA World Cup. He also played for MAS Fez.Hazzaz represented Morocco at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.-External links:*...
Defenders Mokhtar Dhouieb
Mokhtar Dhouieb
Mokhtar Dhouib is a retired Tunisian footballer.He played for the Tunisia national football team in the 1978 FIFA World Cup. In Tunisia's first ever World Cup finals match, he scored the third goal in a 3–1 win over Mexico.-References:...
James Kuuku Dadzie Al-Qasmy Al-Araby
Midfielders Moses Nsereko Abdul Razak
Karim Abdul Razak
Karim Abdul Razak Tanko is a Ghanaian football coach and former midfielder. He played for several clubs in the 1970s and 1980s, notably the local club Asante Kotoko and the New York Cosmos in the defunct North American Soccer League ....
Adolf Armah Phillip Omondi
Phillip Omondi
Phillip Omondi was a Ugandan football player and manager.-Playing career:Omondi played for local side Kampala City Council FC from 1973 to 1979, when he moved to the United Arab Emirates to join Sharjah....
Forwards Segun Odegbami
Segun Odegbami
Patrick Olusegun Odegbami, often shortened to Segun Odegbami is a retired Nigerian footballer who played as a forward....
Mohammed Polo
Mohammed Ahmed Polo
Alhaji Mohammed Ahmed and popularly known as the "Dribbling Magician", is a former Ghanaian international football player and arguably the most technically gifted player ever to emerge from Ghana. He was in the Ghana squad that won the 1978 African Cup of Nations held in Ghana...