The 1978 African Cup of Nations was the eleventh edition of the African Cup of Nations, the international football championship run by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). It was hosted by Ghana and played in the cities of Accra and Kumasi.

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 semi-finals used in tournaments prior to 1976 (except 1959). Hosts Ghana won a third championship, defeating Uganda 2−0 in the final.

Ivory Coast and Mali were both disqualified in the second round of qualification; Ivory Coast for using an ineligible player in the second leg, 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 Hosts (1963, 1965, 1968, 1970) Holders (1972, 1976) 2nd round winners (1963, 1976) 2nd round winners (1962, 1968, 1974, 1976) 2nd round winners (1974) 2nd round winners (debut) 2nd round winners (1968 1972, 1974) 2nd round winners (1962, 1963, 1965) Notes

Squads

Venues The competition was played in two venues in Accra and Kumasi.

Accra Accra Sports Stadium Capacity: 40,000 KumasiKumasi Sports StadiumCapacity: 40,500

Group stage Tiebreakers If two or more teams finished level on points after completion of the group matches, the following tie-breakers were used to determine the final ranking: Goal difference in all group matches Greater number of goals scored in all group matches Drawing of lots

Group A

Group B

Knockout stage Bracket

Semi-finals

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).

Final

Goalscorers

Team of the Tournament Source:

Goalkeeper Mohammed Hazzaz

Defenders Mokhtar Dhouieb James Kuuku Dadzie Khaled Gasmi Larbi Ihardane

Midfielders Moses Nsereko Karim Abdul Razak Adolf Armah Phillip Omondi

Forwards Segun Odegbami Mohammed Polo

References

External links Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF) footballmundial.tripod.com