Africa Cup of Nations 1996 official logo
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Tournament details | |
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Host country | South Africa |
Dates | 13 January – 3 February |
Teams | 15 (from 1 confederation) |
Venue(s) | 4 (in 4 host cities) |
Final positions | |
Champions | South Africa (1st title) |
Runners-up | Tunisia |
Third place | Zambia |
Fourth place | Ghana |
Tournament statistics | |
Matches played | 29 |
Goals scored | 78 (2.69 per match) |
Attendance | 640,880 (22,099 per match) |
Top scorer(s) |
Kalusha Bwalya (5 goals) |
Best player | Kalusha Bwalya |
The 1996 African Cup of Nations was the 20th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the soccer championship of Africa (CAF). It was hosted by South Africa, who replaced original hosts Kenya. The field expanded for the first time to sixteen teams, split into four groups of four; the top two teams in each group advancing to the quarterfinals. However, Nigeria withdrew from the tournament at the final moment, reducing Group C to only three teams, and the field to fifteen. South Africa won its first championship, beating Tunisia in the final 2−0.
For full qualification see: 1996 African Cup of Nations qualification
* Nigeria withdrew prior to the start of the finals. Guinea, as the best side to not qualify, was offered Nigeria's spot in the finals, but declined due to a lack of preparation time.
Teams highlighted in green progress to the Quarter Finals.