1996 Africa Cup of Nations

1996 Africa Cup of Nations
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Tournament	1996 Africa Cup of Nations
Hosts	South Africa
Dates	January 13 - February 3
Teams	15
Champion	South Africa national football team
Runner-up	Tunisia national football team
Third	Nigeria national football team
Matches	29
Goals	78
Attendance	640,000
Top scorer	Kalusha Bwalya

1996 Africa Cup of Nations was the 20th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Confédération Africaine de Football's premier international football tournament, held in South Africa from January 13 to February 3, 1996. The tournament featured 15 national teams, including Ghana national football team, Egypt national football team, and Cameroon national football team, competing in 29 matches across four venues: Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, and Bloemfontein. The competition was won by the host team, South Africa national football team, who defeated Tunisia national football team 2-0 in the final, with Nigeria national football team finishing third after beating Zambia national football team 1-0 in the third-place playoff.

● Overview

The 1996 Africa Cup of Nations was a significant event in the history of African football, marking the first time the tournament was held in South Africa since the country's readmission to international football in 1992, following the end of apartheid. The tournament was organized by the Confédération Africaine de Football, with Issa Hayatou serving as the president, and featured a number of high-profile teams, including Morocco national football team, Algeria national football team, and Ivory Coast national football team. The competition was sponsored by several major brands, including Adidas, Coca-Cola, and Nissan, and was broadcast in over 100 countries, including France, United Kingdom, and United States, through networks such as BBC, TF1, and ESPN.

● Qualification

The qualification process for the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations involved 32 teams, including Senegal national football team, Guinea national football team, and Mali national football team, competing in a series of group matches and playoffs. The teams were divided into eight groups, with the winners and runners-up qualifying for the final tournament, along with the host team, South Africa national football team. The qualification process was overseen by the Confédération Africaine de Football, with FIFA providing technical support and guidance. Teams that qualified for the tournament included Angola national football team, Burkina Faso national football team, and Gabon national football team.

● Squads

Each of the 15 teams that participated in the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations was allowed to bring a squad of 22 players, including goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards. The squads featured a number of high-profile players, including George Weah of Liberia national football team, Abédi Pelé of Ghana national football team, and Rabah Madjer of Algeria national football team. The teams were coached by experienced managers, such as Philippe Troussier of South Africa national football team, Henryk Kasperczak of Tunisia national football team, and Bora Milutinović of Nigeria national football team.

● Group Stage

The group stage of the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations featured 15 teams divided into three groups of five teams each, with the top two teams in each group qualifying for the knockout stage. The groups were as follows: Group A, which included South Africa national football team, Cameroon national football team, and Egypt national football team; Group B, which included Ghana national football team, Tunisia national football team, and Ivory Coast national football team; and Group C, which included Nigeria national football team, Zambia national football team, and Senegal national football team. The group stage matches were played from January 13 to January 25, with Johannesburg's FNB Stadium hosting the opening match between South Africa national football team and Cameroon national football team.

● Knockout Stage

The knockout stage of the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations featured the top two teams from each group, competing in a series of single-elimination matches. The quarterfinals were played on January 27 and January 28, with South Africa national football team facing Algeria national football team and Tunisia national football team facing Gabon national football team. The semifinals were played on January 31, with South Africa national football team facing Ghana national football team and Tunisia national football team facing Zambia national football team. The third-place playoff was played on February 3, with Nigeria national football team facing Zambia national football team.

● Final

The final of the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations was played on February 3, 1996, at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, between South Africa national football team and Tunisia national football team. The match was attended by a crowd of over 80,000 spectators, including Nelson Mandela, the President of South Africa, and was broadcast in over 100 countries. South Africa national football team won the match 2-0, with goals from Mark Williams and John Moshoeu, to claim their first Africa Cup of Nations title. The victory was celebrated across South Africa, with Cape Town and Durban hosting victory parades and Soweto hosting a massive street party. The tournament was widely praised for its organization and competitiveness, with FIFA President João Havelange attending the final and praising the Confédération Africaine de Football for its efforts. Category:Africa Cup of Nations