Nigeria won its third Africa Cup of Nations title in 2013, the highest-attended 16-team edition, hosted by South Africa.
Key Facts
- Edition number
- 29th Africa Cup of Nations
- Dates
- 19 January – 10 February 2013
- Final result
- Nigeria 1–0 Burkina Faso
- Nigeria's title count
- 3rd Africa Cup of Nations championship
- First odd-year edition since
- 1965
- Defending champions
- Zambia (eliminated in group stage)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Africa Cup of Nations was restructured to be held in odd-numbered years to avoid clashing with the FIFA World Cup. South Africa was selected as host, marking the country's second time hosting the tournament after the 1996 edition. Zambia entered as defending champions.
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations took place from 19 January to 10 February 2013, with 16 teams competing across South African venues. Nigeria defeated Burkina Faso 1–0 in the final to claim the title. The tournament became the highest-attended edition under the 16-team format. Host nation South Africa was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Mali on penalties.
Nigeria qualified as CAF's representative for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil. The shift to odd-numbered years established a new scheduling cycle for the Africa Cup of Nations, permanently separating the tournament from World Cup years going forward.
Result
at South Africa