1980 African Cup of Nations qualification

This page details the qualifying process for the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations in Nigeria. Nigeria, as hosts, and Ghana, as title holders, qualified automatically.

Qualifying tournament

 * 🇬🇭 ghana qualified as holders
 *  qualified as hosts

Preliminary round

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Malawi won 6–3 on aggregate.

Mauritius won by away goals rule after 2–2 on aggregate.

Benin advanced after Niger withdrew.

First round

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Morocco won 6–3 on aggregate.

Libya won 3–2 on aggregate.

Guinea won 6–5 on penalty shootout after 3–3 on aggregate.

Zambia won 4–0 on aggregate.

Ivory Coast won 4–2 on aggregate.

Togo won 2–1 on aggregate.

Zaire won 6–5 on aggregate.

Tanzania won 6–3 on aggregate.

Algeria advanced after Burundi withdrew.

Egypt advanced after Somalia withdrew.

Kenya advanced: Tunisia were disqualified after they were banned from CAF competitions for two years for walking off the pitch to protest the officating during the third-place match of the 1978 African Cup of Nations.

Sudan advanced after Uganda withdrew.

Second round

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Algeria won 3–2 on aggregate.

Morocco won 8–2 on aggregate.

Ivory Coast won 4–2 on aggregate.

Egypt won 4–3 on aggregate.

Guinea won 5–4 on aggregate.

Tanzania won 2–1 on aggregate.