1978 African Cup of Nations

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:
 * Notes

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

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
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).

Scorers

 * The two scorers in the third place match not added.
 * 3 goals


 * 🇬🇭 Opoku Afriyie
 * 🇳🇬 Segun Odegbami
 * 🇺🇬 Phillip Omondi


 * 2 goals


 * 🇬🇭 Karim Abdul Razak
 * 🇬🇭 George Alhassan
 * 🇲🇦 Hassan "Acila" Amcharrat
 * 🇹🇳 Abderraouf Ben Aziza
 * 🇺🇬 Godfrey Kisitu


 * 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
 * 🇲🇦 Mohammed Al-Hazaz

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