1968 African Cup of Nations
Encyclopedia
The 1968 African Cup of Nations was the sixth edition of the African Cup of Nations
, the soccer championship of Africa (CAF
). It was hosted by Ethiopia
. The field expanded to eight teams, split into two groups of four; the top two teams in each group advanced to the semifinals. Democratic Republic of Congo
won its first championship, beating Ghana
in the final 1-0.
Prior to this tournament, the African Cup of Nations were held once every three years, following 1968 they were held once every two years.
Ethiopia qualified as hosts
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Playoff
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Second round
Uganda qualified, United Arab Republic withdrew
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Playoff
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Second round
Congo-Kinshasa qualified, Tanzania withdrew
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12 January
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12 January
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19 January
Asmara
19 January
African Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Cup of Nations or African Nations Cup, officially CAN , is the main international association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football , and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been...
, the soccer championship of Africa (CAF
Confederation of African Football
The Confederation of African Football is the administrative and controlling body for African association football.CAF represents the national football associations of Africa, runs continental, national, and club competitions, and controls the prize money, regulations and media rights to those...
). It was hosted by Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
. The field expanded to eight teams, split into two groups of four; the top two teams in each group advanced to the semifinals. Democratic Republic of Congo
Congo DR national football team
The Congo DR national football team is the national team of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is controlled by the Fédération Congolaise de Football-Association , and are nicknamed The Leopards.Congo have been ranked as high as 51 in the FIFA Rankings...
won its first championship, beating Ghana
Ghana national football team
The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
in the final 1-0.
Prior to this tournament, the African Cup of Nations were held once every three years, following 1968 they were held once every two years.
Qualifying Tournament
Ghana qualified as holdersEthiopia qualified as hosts
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Group 1
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 6 | ||
| 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 6 | ||
| 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 10 | ||
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Playoff
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Group 2
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | ||
| 4 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 4 | ||
| 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 10 | ||
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Group 3
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | ||
| 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 9 | ||
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Group 4
First round----
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Second round
Uganda qualified, United Arab Republic withdrew
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Group 5
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 | ||
| 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | ||
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Group 6
First roundPlayoff
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Second round
Congo-Kinshasa qualified, Tanzania withdrew
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Group A
All matches played in Addis AbabaAddis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia...
| Mat | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 6 | |
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 4 | |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 2 | |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 0 | |
12 January
Girma Luciano Vassalo Luciano Vassalo Luciano Vassalo is a former Ethiopian footballer of Eritrean and Italian origin. He is the most capped international football in Ethiopian history. He is known for his skill, and mostly for his volleys, free kicks and penalties... (pen) |
2 - 1 | Ouma |
12 January
Bozon 15 Laurent Pokou Laurent Pokou Laurent Pokou is a former footballer from Ivory Coast, who works for Académie de Sol Beni as Head Coach.-Career:He was a notable striker for French club Stade Rennais.-International career:... 25, 65 |
3 - 0 |
14 January
Bekouesion 86 |
1 - 0 |
14 January
Hacène Lalmas Hacène Lalmas Hacène Lalmas is a former Algerian football player. He played as a midfielder and was nicknamed El Kebch .-Biography:... 15, 25, 70 Mokhtar Khalem 60 |
4 - 0 |
16 January
Laurent Pokou Laurent Pokou Laurent Pokou is a former footballer from Ivory Coast, who works for Académie de Sol Beni as Head Coach.-Career:He was a notable striker for French club Stade Rennais.-International career:... Mangle |
2- 1 | Obua |
16 January
Mengistu Worku Mengistu Worku Mengistu Worku was an Ethiopian footballer, recognised as the best Ethiopian footballer in history... 16 Shewangezaw 19 Luciano Vassalo Luciano Vassalo Luciano Vassalo is a former Ethiopian footballer of Eritrean and Italian origin. He is the most capped international football in Ethiopian history. He is known for his skill, and mostly for his volleys, free kicks and penalties... (pen) 27 |
3 - 1 | Amirouche 68 |
Group B
All matches played in AsmaraAsmara
Asmara is the capital city and largest settlement in Eritrea, home to a population of around 579,000 people...
.
| Mat | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 5 | |
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 4 | |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 3 | |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 0 | |
12 January
Osei Kofi Osei Kofi Osei Kofi is a retired Ghanaian footballer. He played for Asante Kotoko F.C. and the Ghana national football team. He was a joint top scorer in the 1965 Africa Cup of Nations tournament held in Tunis, Tunisia leading to Ghana winning the tournament for a second time. He was the third highest scorer... 63 Wilberforce Mfum Wilberforce Mfum Wilberforce "Willie" Mfum is a retired Ghanaian football forward who played professionally in Ghana and the United States. He was a member of the Ghanaian Olympic soccer team at the 1964 Summer Olympics.-Club career:... 87 |
2 - 2 | Diongue 10 Y.Diop 65 |
12 January
Muwawa 19 Kabamba (pen) 27 Kabamba 51 |
3 - 0 |
14 January
Diop 27 Diouck 86 |
2 - 1 | Foutika 31 |
14 January
Osei Kofi Osei Kofi Osei Kofi is a retired Ghanaian footballer. He played for Asante Kotoko F.C. and the Ghana national football team. He was a joint top scorer in the 1965 Africa Cup of Nations tournament held in Tunis, Tunisia leading to Ghana winning the tournament for a second time. He was the third highest scorer... (pen) 17 Wilberforce Mfum Wilberforce Mfum Wilberforce "Willie" Mfum is a retired Ghanaian football forward who played professionally in Ghana and the United States. He was a member of the Ghanaian Olympic soccer team at the 1964 Summer Olympics.-Club career:... 84 |
2 - 1 | Mohili 42 |
16 January
Kidumu Tshimanga |
2 - 1 | Y.Diouck |
16 January
Osei Kofi Osei Kofi Osei Kofi is a retired Ghanaian footballer. He played for Asante Kotoko F.C. and the Ghana national football team. He was a joint top scorer in the 1965 Africa Cup of Nations tournament held in Tunis, Tunisia leading to Ghana winning the tournament for a second time. He was the third highest scorer... Osei Kofi Osei Kofi Osei Kofi is a retired Ghanaian footballer. He played for Asante Kotoko F.C. and the Ghana national football team. He was a joint top scorer in the 1965 Africa Cup of Nations tournament held in Tunis, Tunisia leading to Ghana winning the tournament for a second time. He was the third highest scorer... Wilberforce Mfum Wilberforce Mfum Wilberforce "Willie" Mfum is a retired Ghanaian football forward who played professionally in Ghana and the United States. He was a member of the Ghanaian Olympic soccer team at the 1964 Summer Olympics.-Club career:... |
3 - 1 | Foutika |
Semi-finals
Addis Ababa19 January
Luciano Vassalo Luciano Vassalo Luciano Vassalo is a former Ethiopian footballer of Eritrean and Italian origin. He is the most capped international football in Ethiopian history. He is known for his skill, and mostly for his volleys, free kicks and penalties... 25 Mengistu Worku Mengistu Worku Mengistu Worku was an Ethiopian footballer, recognised as the best Ethiopian footballer in history... 65 |
2 - 3 (aet) | Kidumu 3 Mungamuni 16 Mungamuni 100 |
Asmara
19 January
Wilberforce Mfum Wilberforce Mfum Wilberforce "Willie" Mfum is a retired Ghanaian football forward who played professionally in Ghana and the United States. He was a member of the Ghanaian Olympic soccer team at the 1964 Summer Olympics.-Club career:... Wilberforce Mfum Wilberforce Mfum Wilberforce "Willie" Mfum is a retired Ghanaian football forward who played professionally in Ghana and the United States. He was a member of the Ghanaian Olympic soccer team at the 1964 Summer Olympics.-Club career:... Ibrahim Sunday Ibrahim Sunday Ibrahim Sunday is a former Ghanaian football player and coach.-Playing career:Sunday started his career playing for local club Kumasi Asante Kotoko, of which he became the captain. In 1970, he and his club won the African Cup of Champions, predecessor of the CAF Champions League, the first... Odoi |
4 - 3 (aet) | Laurent Pokou Laurent Pokou Laurent Pokou is a former footballer from Ivory Coast, who works for Académie de Sol Beni as Head Coach.-Career:He was a notable striker for French club Stade Rennais.-International career:... Laurent Pokou Laurent Pokou Laurent Pokou is a former footballer from Ivory Coast, who works for Académie de Sol Beni as Head Coach.-Career:He was a notable striker for French club Stade Rennais.-International career:... Konan Henri (pen) |
3rd/4th places
21 JanuaryLaurent Pokou Laurent Pokou Laurent Pokou is a former footballer from Ivory Coast, who works for Académie de Sol Beni as Head Coach.-Career:He was a notable striker for French club Stade Rennais.-International career:... 28 |
1 - 0 |
Final
21 JanuaryKalala 66 |
1 - 0 |
Top scorers
| 1. |  Laurent PokouLaurent Pokou Laurent Pokou is a former footballer from Ivory Coast, who works for Académie de Sol Beni as Head Coach.-Career:He was a notable striker for French club Stade Rennais.-International career:... |
6 |
| 2. |  Wilberforce MfumWilberforce Mfum Wilberforce "Willie" Mfum is a retired Ghanaian football forward who played professionally in Ghana and the United States. He was a member of the Ghanaian Olympic soccer team at the 1964 Summer Olympics.-Club career:... |
5 |
| 3. | Osei Kofi Osei Kofi Osei Kofi is a retired Ghanaian footballer. He played for Asante Kotoko F.C. and the Ghana national football team. He was a joint top scorer in the 1965 Africa Cup of Nations tournament held in Tunis, Tunisia leading to Ghana winning the tournament for a second time. He was the third highest scorer... |
4 |
| 4. |  Hacène LalmasHacène Lalmas Hacène Lalmas is a former Algerian football player. He played as a midfielder and was nicknamed El Kebch .-Biography:... |
3 |