HistoryData
general1963

1963 African Cup of Nations — football tournament

January 1, 1963

The 1963 Africa Cup of Nations was the fourth edition of the continental championship, notable for hosts Ghana winning and a record-high scoring rate.

Quick Facts

Year
1963
Category
general

Key Facts

Edition
Fourth Africa Cup of Nations
Final score
Ghana 3–0 Sudan
Final date
1 December 1963
Format
Two groups of 3 teams; winners met in final
Consecutive host victories
Third consecutive time hosts won
Goals-per-game average
More than 4 goals per game goals/game

By the Numbers

3
Final score
1
Final date
3
Format
4goals/game
Goals-per-game average

Location

Map of Accra, GhanaMap of Accra, GhanaAccra, Ghana

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

CAF restructured the tournament format for the 1963 edition, introducing two groups of three teams each, with group winners contesting the final and runners-up competing for third place, replacing the previous knockout format to increase competitive matches.

Event

Ghana hosted the fourth Africa Cup of Nations in December 1963. Six teams competed across two groups, with Ghana advancing to the final held in Accra, where they defeated Sudan 3–0 to claim the title, extending a streak of consecutive host-nation victories.

Consequence

Ghana's victory made it the third consecutive time the host nation had won the Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament also recorded an exceptionally high scoring rate of more than four goals per game on average, a mark shared only with the previous 1962 edition.

Timeline Context

Timeline around 196319631960196119621964196519661963 Summer Universiade — multi-sport event in Porto Alegre, Brazil1963 public backlash in Pahlavi-dynasty Iran1963 Cannes Film Festival — film festival edition1963 FIBA World Championship — 1963 edition of the FIBA World Championship1963 Formula One season — sports season1963 CONCACAF Championship — football tournament1963 South American Championship — football tournament1963 Mediterranean Games — 4th edition of the Mediterranean Games1963-african-cup-of-nations-football-tournament-1963