1978 African Cup Of Nations

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.

1978 African Cup of Nations

Tournament details
Host country	Ghana
Dates	5–16 March
Teams	8
Venue(s)	2 (in 2 host cities)
Final positions
Champions	Ghana (3rd title)
Runners-up	Uganda
Third place	Nigeria
Fourth place	Tunisia
Tournament statistics
Matches played	16
Goals scored	38 (2.38 per match)
Top scorer(s)	Opoku Afriyie Segun Odegbami Phillip Omondi (3 goals each)
Best player(s)	Karim Abdul Razak
← 1976 1980 →

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.

The 8 qualified teams are:

Team	Qualified as	Qualified on	Previous appearances in tournament
Ghana	Hosts		4 (1963, 1965, 1968, 1970)
Morocco	Holders	14 March 1976	2 (1972, 1976)
Nigeria	2nd round winners	26 June 1977	2 (1963, 1976)
Uganda	2nd round winners	26 June 1977	4 (1962, 1968, 1974, 1976)
Zambia	2nd round winners	26 June 1977	1 (1974)
Upper Volta	2nd round winners	17 July 1977	0 (debut)
Congo	2nd round winners	31 July 1977	3 (1968 1972, 1974)
Tunisia	2nd round winners	16 October 1977	3 (1962, 1963, 1965)

Notes