Ghana retained the African Cup of Nations title in 1965, becoming two-time champions while the tournament expanded from four to six participating teams.
Key Facts
- Edition
- 5th African Cup of Nations
- Host country
- Tunisia
- Tournament dates
- 12–21 November 1965
- Number of participants
- 6 teams (up from 4)
- Final score
- Ghana 3–2 Tunisia (after extra time)
- Tournament debuts
- Congo-Léopoldville, Senegal, Ivory Coast
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Growing enthusiasm for African football and an increasing number of member nations prompted the Confederation of African Football to expand the tournament from four to six participating teams. The host nation Tunisia qualified automatically alongside defending champion Ghana, while Egypt boycotted due to a diplomatic crisis with Tunisia, and Sudan failed in qualifying.
The 1965 African Cup of Nations was held in Tunisia from 12 to 21 November 1965. Six teams competed in two groups of three, with group winners advancing to the final and runners-up contesting a third-place match. Ghana defeated host nation Tunisia 3–2 after extra time in the final to claim the title.
Ghana secured its second African championship in only its second participation, cementing its early dominance of the competition. The expanded format set a precedent for further growth of the tournament. This was also the last edition held in an odd-numbered year until 2013, as the scheduling cycle subsequently shifted.