1988 African Cup of Nations

The 1988 African Cup of Nations was the 16th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the association football championship of Africa (CAF). It was hosted by Morocco, who replaced original host Zambia. Just like in 1986, the field of eight teams was split into two groups of four. The tournament final was held in Casablanca at Stade Mohamed V. Cameroon won its second championship, beating Nigeria in the final 1−0.

This tournament has the fewest goals-per-game average in Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

Host selection
The original host was Zambia but after their withdrawal in December 1986 due to financial issues, the Confederation of African Football approached Algeria which agreed to host the tournament. However, in February 1987 the CAF rescinded this decision following a dispute with Algeria which protested the CAF's decision to order a replay of the first leg match of the 1987 All-Africa Games qualification against Tunisia. CAF had made this decision following Tunisia's protest that Algeria had fielded two professional players. Morocco was chosen in the end to host the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations replacing Algeria.

Qualified teams
The 8 qualified teams are:
 * Notes

Venues
The competition was played in two venues in Casablanca and Rabat.

Group A
Note: Algeria qualified by drawing of lots.

Scorers

 * 2 goals


 * Lakhdar Belloumi
 * 🇨🇲 Roger Milla
 * 🇨🇮 Abdoulaye Traoré
 * 🇪🇬 Gamal Abdelhamid


 * 1 goal


 * Abdelkader Ferhaoui
 * Rachid Maâtar
 * 🇨🇲 Emmanuel Kundé
 * 🇨🇲 Cyrille Makanaky
 * 🇪🇬 Ayman Younes
 * 🇲🇦 Mustafa El Haddaoui
 * 🇲🇦 Abdelkrim Merry
 * 🇲🇦 Hassan Nader
 * Humphrey Edobor
 * Ndubuisi Okosieme
 * Samuel Okwaraji
 * Rashidi Yekini
 * Eugène Kabongo
 * Lutonadio


 * Own goal


 * Abdelrazak Belgharbi (against Nigeria)

CAF Team of the Tournament
Goalkeeper
 * 🇨🇲 Joseph-Antoine Bell

Defenders
 * 🇲🇦 Tijani El Maataoui
 * 🇨🇲 Emmanuel Kundé
 * John Buana
 * 🇨🇲 Stephen Tataw

Midfielders
 * Jacques Kinkomba Kingambo
 * 🇨🇲 Emile Mbouh
 * 🇳🇬 Henry Nwosu
 * 🇨🇲 Paul Mfede

Forwards
 * 🇨🇲 Roger Milla
 * 🇲🇦 Aziz Bouderbala