Ghana won its third Africa Cup of Nations title, while format reverted to knockout semifinals after the 1976 group-stage final experiment.
Key Facts
- Edition
- 11th Africa Cup of Nations
- Host country
- Ghana
- Final score
- Ghana 2–0 Uganda
- Ghana's championship count
- 3rd title
- Teams in tournament
- 8 teams in two groups of four
- Disqualified nations
- Ivory Coast and Mali
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following format changes introduced in 1976, CAF reverted to the knockout semifinal structure used in earlier editions. Qualification controversy arose when Ivory Coast fielded an ineligible player and Mali's stadium security assaulted match officials, leading to both nations' disqualification before the final tournament.
The 1978 Africa Cup of Nations, the eleventh edition, was hosted by Accra and Kumasi, Ghana, with eight teams split into two groups of four followed by knockout semifinals. Ghana defeated Uganda 2–0 in the final to claim the championship.
Ghana secured its third continental title, cementing its status as a dominant force in African football at the time. Upper Volta was admitted to the tournament in place of disqualified Mali, after a series of walkover and disqualification rulings altered the qualification standings.