Congo-Kinshasa claimed its first Africa Cup of Nations title in 1968, and the tournament expanded to eight teams while shifting to a biennial schedule.
Key Facts
- Edition
- 6th Africa Cup of Nations
- Host country
- Ethiopia
- Teams
- 8 (two groups of four)
- Final result
- Congo-Kinshasa 1–0 Ghana
- Champion
- Congo-Kinshasa (first title)
- Schedule change
- Frequency shifted from triennial to biennial
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The African Cup of Nations had been held every three years since its inception. Growing continental interest in football and an expanded field of competing nations prompted CAF to host the 1968 edition in Ethiopia with eight teams divided into two groups, marking a significant structural change to the tournament format.
The 1968 African Cup of Nations took place in Ethiopia with eight teams competing across two groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to the semifinals. Congo-Kinshasa defeated Ghana 1–0 in the final to claim the country's first continental championship.
Congo-Kinshasa's victory marked the first of what would become multiple championships for that nation. The 1968 tournament also served as the last to follow the triennial schedule; from this point forward, CAF held the Africa Cup of Nations every two years, increasing the competition's regularity and continental prominence.