1982 African Cup of Nations

The 1982 African Cup of Nations was the 13th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the association football championship of African nations run by the CAF. It was hosted by Libya. Just like in 1980, there were eight teams, which were split into two groups of four. Ghana won its fourth championship, beating Libya on penalties 7−6 after a 1–1 draw.

Qualified teams
The 8 qualified teams are:
 * Notes

Venues
The competition was played in two venues in Tripoli and Benghazi.

First round
Teams highlighted in green progress to the Semi-finals.

Top scorers

 * 4 goals


 * 🇬🇭 George Alhassan


 * 3 goals


 * 🇱🇾 Ali Al-Beshari
 * 🇿🇲 Peter Kaumba


 * 2 goals


 * 🇩🇿 Salah Assad
 * 🇬🇭 Samuel Opoku Nti
 * 🇳🇬 Stephen Keshi
 * 🇿🇲 Godfrey Munshya


 * 1 goal


 * 🇩🇿 Chaabane Merzekane
 * 🇩🇿 Djamel Zidane
 * 🇨🇲 Grégoire Mbida
 * 🇬🇭 John Essien
 * 🇱🇾 Faraj Al-Barasi
 * 🇱🇾 Fawzi Al-Issawi
 * 🇱🇾 Abdel Razak Jaranah
 * 🇳🇬 Ademola Adeshina
 * 🇳🇬 Emmanuel Osigwe
 * 🇿🇲 Aaron Njovu
 * 🇹🇳 Kamel Gabsi


 * Own goal


 * 🇳🇬 Peter Fregene (against Zambia)
 * 🇳🇬 Okey Isima (against Algeria)
 * 🇹🇳 Kamel Seddik (against Libya)