1996 African Cup of Nations

The 1996 African Cup of Nations was the 20th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the football championship of Africa (CAF). It was hosted by South Africa, who replaced original hosts Kenya. The field expanded for the first time to 16 teams, split into four groups of four; the top two teams in each group advancing to the quarterfinals. However, Nigeria withdrew from the tournament at the final moment under pressure from then-dictator Sani Abacha, reducing the field to 15. South Africa won its first championship, beating Tunisia in the final 2–0.

Qualified teams


For full qualification see: 1996 African Cup of Nations qualification
 * Notes

First round
Teams highlighted in green progress to the Quarter Finals.

Group C
🇳🇬 nigeria withdrew, so their three matches were canceled.
 * vs., 16 January 1996
 * vs. 🇱🇷 liberia, 19 January 1996
 * vs. 🇬🇦 gabon, 25 January 1996

Scorers
5 goals
 * Kalusha Bwalya

4 goals
 * John Moshoeu
 * Mark Williams

3 goals


 * 🇬🇭 Abedi Pele
 * 🇪🇬 Ahmed El-Kass
 * 🇹🇳 Imed Ben Younes
 * Dennis Lota

2 goals


 * Ali Meçabih
 * Quinzinho
 * 🇨🇲 François Omam-Biyik
 * 🇬🇦 Brice Mackaya
 * 🇬🇭 Tony Yeboah
 * 🇹🇳 Zoubeir Baya
 * 🇹🇳 Adel Sellimi
 * Johnson Bwalya
 * Kenneth Malitoli

1 goal


 * Billel Dziri
 * Tarek Lazizi
 * Khaled Lounici
 * Joni
 * Paulão
 * 🇧🇫 Aboubakari Ouédraogo
 * 🇧🇫 Youssouf Traoré
 * 🇧🇫 Boureima Zongo
 * 🇨🇲 Georges Mouyémé
 * 🇨🇲 Alphonse Tchami
 * 🇨🇮 Joël Tiéhi
 * 🇨🇮 Moussa Traoré
 * 🇪🇬 Samir Ibrahim
 * 🇪🇬 Ali Maher
 * 🇬🇦 Aurélien Bekogo
 * 🇬🇦 Guy Nzeng
 * 🇬🇭 Felix Aboagye
 * 🇬🇭 Charles Akonnor
 * 🇬🇭 Kwame Ayew
 * 🇱🇷 Mass Sarr Jr.
 * 🇱🇷 Kelvin Sebwe
 * 🇲🇿 Tico-Tico
 * 🇸🇱 Mohamed Kallon
 * 🇸🇱 Gbassay Sessay
 * Shaun Bartlett
 * Mark Fish
 * Phil Masinga
 * 🇹🇳 Abdelkader Ben Hassen
 * 🇹🇳 Hédi Berkhissa
 * 🇹🇳 Kaies Ghodhbane
 * Liombi Essende
 * Roger Lukaku
 * Elijah Litana
 * Hillary Makasa
 * Vincent Mutale

1 own goal
 * Hélder Vicente (for Cameroon)

CAF Team of the Tournament
Goalkeeper
 * 🇹🇳 Chokri El Ouaer

Defenders
 * 🇪🇬 Yasser Radwan
 * 🇿🇦 Mark Fish
 * Elijah Litana
 * 🇬🇭 Isaac Asare

Midfielders
 * 🇹🇳 Zoubeir Baya
 * 🇪🇬 Hazem Emam
 * 🇬🇭 Abedi Pele
 * 🇿🇦 Mark Williams

Forwards
 * Kalusha Bwalya
 * 🇬🇭 Tony Yeboah