{{Short description|26th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}} {{Infobox international football competition | tourney_name = | year = 2008 | other_titles = | image = 2008 Africa Cup of Nations logo.svg | size = 150px | caption = Africa Cup of Nations 2008 official logo | country = Ghana | dates = 20 January – 10 February | num_teams = 16 | venues = 4 | cities = 4 | champion = Egypt | count = 6 | second = Cameroon | third = Ghana | fourth = Ivory Coast | matches = 32 | goals = 99 | attendance = 714000 | top_scorer = {{flagicon|CMR}} Samuel Eto'o (5 goals) | player = {{flagicon|EGY}} Hosny Abd Rabo | goalkeeper = {{flagicon|EGY}} Essam El Hadary | prevseason = 2006 | nextseason = 2010 }}
The '''2008 Africa Cup of Nations''', also known as the '''MTN Africa Cup of Nations''' due to the competition's sponsorship by MTN, was the 26th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the biennial football tournament for nations affiliated with the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The tournament was staged at four venues around Ghana between 20 January and 10 February 2008. This was the last Africa Cup of Nations to use the old CAF logo.
Egypt won the tournament, beating Cameroon 1–0 in the final. As winners, they qualified for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup as the CAF representatives.
== Host selection == '''Bids:''' *'''Ghana <small>(selected as hosts)</small>''' *Libya *South Africa <small>(withdrew)</small>
The organization of the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations was awarded to Ghana on 8 July 2004 by the CAF Executive Committee members which are 12 in Cairo, Egypt. Voters had a choice between Ghana and Libya which was disadvantaged by the fact that two countries in the North Africa region had already hosted the last two editions (Tunisia in 2004, and Egypt in 2006).
South Africa, also a candidate at the start, eventually withdrew in May 2004 after being nominated for the organization of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
This was the fourth time that Ghana hosted the African Cup after 1963, 1978 and 2000 (jointly with Nigeria). <div style="text-align: center;"> {| class="wikitable" style="float:center; text-align:center" ! colspan="2" | Results |- ! Nation ! Votes |- style="background:#90EE90" | style="text-align:left" | {{Flagicon|GHA}} '''Ghana''' | '''9''' |- | style="text-align:left" | {{Flagicon|LBY|1977}} Libya | 3 |- | style="text-align:left" | {{Flagicon|RSA}} South Africa | style="background:#F08080" | Withdrew |- ! style="text-align:left" | Total votes ! 12 |} </div>
== Qualification == {{Main|2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualification}}
The entrants were divided into 12 groups. All group winners and the best three runners-up from groups with four teams (groups 2-11) qualified for the finals. Host Ghana qualified automatically. Qualifying took place between 2 September 2006 and 13 October 2007.
=== Teams === thumb|300px|A map of Africa showing the qualified nations, highlighted by stage reached.
* {{fb|GHA}} – Host, 16th appearance (4 titles) * {{fb|CIV}} – Group 1 winner, 17th appearance (1 title) * {{fb|EGY}} – Group 2 winner, 21st appearance (5 titles)<!--Egypt had only won five titles when they qualified for the 2008 tournament. Please do not change this again.--> * {{fb|NGA}} – Group 3 winner, 15th appearance (2 titles) * {{fb|SUD}} – Group 4 winner, 7th appearance (1 title) * {{fb|CMR}} – Group 5 winner, 15th appearance (4 titles) * {{fb|ANG}} – Group 6 winner, 4th appearance * {{fb|SEN}} – Group 7 winner, 11th appearance * {{fb|GUI}} – Group 8 winner, 9th appearance * {{fb|MLI}} – Group 9 winner, 5th appearance * {{fb|NAM}} – Group 10 winner, 2nd appearance * {{fb|ZAM}} – Group 11 winner, 13th appearance * {{fb|MAR}} – Group 12 winner, 14th appearance (1 title) * {{fb|TUN}} – Group 4 runner-up, 13th appearance (1 title) * {{fb|BEN}} – Group 9 runner-up, 2nd appearance * {{fb|RSA}} – Group 11 runner-up, 7th appearance (1 title)
== Venues == <div style="text-align:center"> {| class=wikitable style="text-align:center" ! width=160 | Accra ! rowspan=8 | {{location map+|Ghana|float=center|width=310|caption=|places= {{location map~|Ghana|lat=5.55|long=-0.2|label=Accra|position=low}} {{location map~|Ghana|lat=6.67|long=-1.62|label=Kumasi|position=left}} {{location map~|Ghana|lat=9.41|long=-0.85|label=Tamale|position=left}} {{location map~|Ghana|lat=4.92|long=-1.77|label=Sekondi-Takoradi|position=low}} }} ! width=160 | Kumasi |- | Ohene Djan Stadium || Baba Yara Stadium |- | Capacity: '''40,000'''<ref name="Ohene Djan">{{cite web |title=Ohene Djan Stadium will last "forever"- Micheletti |url=http://www.ghananewsagency.org/details/Sports/Ohene-Djan-Stadium-will-last-forever--Micheletti/?ci=5&ai=3148 |access-date=4 December 2013 |publisher=ghananewsagency.org}}</ref> | Capacity: '''40,528''' |- | 150px || 150px |- ! width=160 | Tamale || Sekondi-Takoradi |- | Tamale Stadium || Sekondi-Takoradi Stadium |- | Capacity: '''21,017''' | Capacity: '''20,088''' |- | 150px || 150px |} </div>
== Tournament ball == {| style="float:right" |thumb|The tournament ball "Wawa Aba" |thumb|''Wawa aba'', an Adinkra symbol of hardiness, toughness, and perseverance |} During the previous editions of the Africa Cup of Nations, the ball used was not a ball especially made for the tournament. As the tournament was held on even years, the same years big tournaments such as the UEFA European Championships or the FIFA World Cup were held, the official ball for the tournament held this year was used for the African Cup of Nations: the Adidas Roteiro in 2004, or the Adidas Teamgeist in 2006. However, for the 2008 tournament, Adidas made a special ball, clearly different from the Adidas Europass going to be used five months later for UEFA Euro 2008. The ball was named '''Wawa Aba''' and was designed to include host nation Ghana's red, yellow and green. The ball was later used for the other African competitions.
For the Akan culture originating from Western Africa, one of the Adinkra symbols named ''Wawa Aba'' is a symbol of hardiness, toughness, and perseverance.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Willis|first=W. Bruce|year=1998|title=The Adinkra Dictionary: A Visual Primer on the Language of Adinkra|location=Washington, DC|publisher=The Pyramid Complex|pages=196–7}}</ref> People there particularly believe in the strength and team spirit of a community. The ''Wawa Aba'' literally means "seed(s) of Wawa tree (''Triplochiton scleroxylon'')”,<ref>{{Cite book|last=Azindow|first=Yakubu M.|year=1999|title=Philosophical Reflections of Adinkra Symbols|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tx0OAQAAMAAJ&q=wawa+aba+Triplochiton|page=29|location=Accra, Ghana|isbn=9988-0-0130-4}}</ref> one of the strongest and most processible woods of Africa and whose seeds are very hard. For the population, the ''Wawa Aba'' mainly has mystical significance. These are people who don't let failure discourage them, who seize all opportunities successfully and who are thus just as strong and adaptable as the ''Wawa Aba''.
== Match officials == 16 referees and 16 assistant referees were selected for the tournament, including two from Japan and one from South Korea.<ref>[http://www.cafonline.com/?lng=1&opt=94139&cmpt=21&titre=Referees Referees]</ref>
{| class="wikitable" ! Referees ! Assistant Referees |- | {{flagicon|ALG}} Mohamed Benouza | {{flagicon|ALG}} Brahim Djezzar |- | {{flagicon|CMR}} Divine Evehe | {{flagicon|CMR}} Evarist Menkouande |- | {{flagicon|JPN}} Yuichi Nishimura | {{flagicon|JPN}} Toru Sagara |- | {{flagicon|MAR}} Abderrahim El Arjoun | {{flagicon|MAR}} Redouane Achik |- | {{flagicon|RSA}} Jerome Damon | {{flagicon|RSA}} Enock Molefe |- | {{flagicon|TOG}} Kokou Djaoupe | {{flagicon|TOG}} Komi Konyoh |- | {{flagicon|TUN}} Kacem Bennaceur | {{flagicon|TUN}} Bechir Hassani |- | {{flagicon|ALG}} Djamel Haimoudi | {{flagicon|KOR|1997}} Jeong Hae-sang |- | {{flagicon|BEN}} Coffi Codjia | {{flagicon|RWA}} Celestin Ntagungira |- | {{flagicon|GAM}} Modou Sowe | {{flagicon|ERI}} Angesom Ogbamariam |- | {{flagicon|GHA}} Alex Kotey | {{flagicon|BDI}} Desire Gahungu |- | {{flagicon|MLI}} Koman Coulibaly | {{flagicon|BFA}} Lassina Paré |- | {{flagicon|SEN}} Badara Diatta | {{flagicon|NGA}} Peter Edibe |- | {{flagicon|SEY}} Eddy Maillet | {{flagicon|ANG}} Inácio Manuel Cândido |- | {{flagicon|UGA}} Muhmed Ssegonga | {{flagicon|EGY}} Nasser Sadek Abdel Nabi |- | {{flagicon|ZIM}} Kenias Marange | {{flagicon|ZAM}} Kenneth Chichenga |}
== Squads == {{main|2008 Africa Cup of Nations squads}}
== Draw == The draw for the tournament took place on 19 October 2007 in Accra. The sixteen teams were divided into four pots according to their performances in past Cup of Nations tournaments. Ghana, as hosts, were automatically seeded as the top team in Group A. Egypt, the defending champions, were seeded as the top team in Group C.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/7050974.stm ''Caf release Cup of Nations' seeds''], "BBC Sport", 18 October 2007. Retrieved 4 February 2008.</ref> Tunisia and Nigeria had the two strongest records and so completed the top seeded Pot 1. Each group consists of four teams, one drawn from each of the pots.
{| class="wikitable" ! width="25%" | Pot 1 ! width="25%" | Pot 2 ! width="25%" | Pot 3 ! width="25%" | Pot 4 |- | {{fb|GHA}} <small>(hosts)</small><br>{{fb|EGY}} <small>(title holders)</small><br>{{fb|TUN}}<br>{{fb|NGA}} | {{fb|CIV}}<br>{{fb|CMR}}<br>{{fb|MAR}}<br>{{fb|SEN}} | {{fb|RSA}}<br>{{fb|GUI}}<br>{{fb|MLI}}<br>{{fb|ZAM}} | {{fb|ANG}}<br>{{fb|BEN}}<br>{{fb|NAM}}<br>{{fb|SDN}} |}
== Group stage == === Tie-breaking criteria === Where two or more teams end the group stage with the same number of points, their ranking is determined by the following criteria:<ref>Article 5, paragraph 13 in the [http://www.cafonline.com/modules/documents/upload/1260.pdf ''Regulations of the XXVth Africa Cup of Nations''] guide.</ref> # points earned in the matches between the teams concerned; # goal difference in the matches between the teams concerned; # number of goals scored in the group matches between the teams concerned; # goal difference in all group matches; # number of goals scored in all group matches; # drawing of lots by the organizing committee.
''All times given as local time (UTC+0)''
=== Group A === <onlyinclude>{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WDL |section=Group A |source=CAF
|team1=GHA|name_GHA={{fb|GHA}} |team2=GUI|name_GUI={{fb|GUI}} |team3=MAR|name_MAR={{fb|MAR}} |team4=NAM|name_NAM={{fb|NAM}}
|update=complete |win_GHA=3|draw_GHA=0|loss_GHA=0|gf_GHA=5|ga_GHA=1|status_GHA=H |win_GUI=1|draw_GUI=1|loss_GUI=1|gf_GUI=5|ga_GUI=5 |win_MAR=1|draw_MAR=0|loss_MAR=2|gf_MAR=7|ga_MAR=6 |win_NAM=0|draw_NAM=1|loss_NAM=2|gf_NAM=2|ga_NAM=7
|res_col_header=Q |result1=KO |result2=KO |col_KO=green1 |text_KO=Advance to {{nowrap|knockout stage}} }}</onlyinclude>
{{football box | date = 20 January 2008 | time = 17:00 | team1 = {{fb-rt|GHA}} | score = 2–1 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080123070632/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=95822&ma=1&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|GUI}} | goals1 = A. Gyan {{goal|55|pen.}} <br> Muntari {{goal|90}} | goals2 = Kalabane {{goal|65}} | stadium = Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra | attendance = 35,000 | referee = Eddy Maillet (Seychelles) }} {{football box | date = 21 January 2008 | time = 15:00 | team1 = {{fb-rt|NAM}} | score = 1–5 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080124034403/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=95853&ma=2&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|MAR}} | goals1 = Brendell {{goal|24}} | goals2 = Alloudi {{goal|1||5||28}} <br> Sektioui {{goal|40|pen.}} <br> Zerka {{goal|74}} | stadium = Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra | attendance = 2,000 | referee = Divine Evehe (Cameroon) }} ---- {{football box | date = 24 January 2008 | time = 17:00 | team1 = {{fb-rt|GUI}} | score = 3–2 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080124034409/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=95854&ma=3&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|MAR}} | goals1 = Feindouno {{goal|11||63|pen.}} <br> Bangoura {{goal|59}} | goals2 = Aboucherouane {{goal|60}} <br> Ouaddou {{goal|90}} | stadium = Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra | attendance = 15,000 | referee = Jerome Damon (South Africa) }} {{football box | date = 24 January 2008 | time = 19:30 | team1 = {{fb-rt|GHA}} | score = 1–0 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080124034414/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=95855&ma=4&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|NAM}} | goals1 = Agogo {{goal|41}} | goals2 = | stadium = Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra | attendance = 40,000 | referee = Kacem Bennaceur (Tunisia) }} ---- {{football box | date = 28 January 2008 | time = 17:00 | team1 = {{fb-rt|GHA}} | score = 2–0 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080131143916/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=95856&ma=5&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|MAR}} | goals1 = Essien {{goal|26}} <br> Muntari {{goal|45}} | goals2 = | stadium = Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra | attendance = 40,000 | referee = Modou Sowe (Gambia) }} {{football box | date = 28 January 2008 | time = 17:00 | team1 = {{fb-rt|GUI}} | score = 1–1 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080130104647/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=96092&ma=6&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|NAM}} | goals1 = Youla {{goal|62}} | goals2 = Brendell {{goal|80}} | stadium = Sekondi-Takoradi Stadium, Sekondi-Takoradi | attendance = 1,000 | referee = Muhmed Ssegonga (Uganda) }}
=== Group B === <onlyinclude>{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WDL |section=Group B |source=CAF
|team1=CIV|name_CIV={{fb|CIV}} |team2=NGR|name_NGR={{fb|NGR}} |team3=MLI|name_MLI={{fb|MLI}} |team4=BEN|name_BEN={{fb|BEN}}
|update=complete |win_CIV=3|draw_CIV=0|loss_CIV=0|gf_CIV=8|ga_CIV=1 |win_NGR=1|draw_NGR=1|loss_NGR=1|gf_NGR=2|ga_NGR=1 |win_MLI=1|draw_MLI=1|loss_MLI=1|gf_MLI=1|ga_MLI=3 |win_BEN=0|draw_BEN=0|loss_BEN=3|gf_BEN=1|ga_BEN=7
|res_col_header=Q |result1=KO |result2=KO |col_KO=green1 |text_KO=Advance to {{nowrap|knockout stage}} }}</onlyinclude>
{{football box | date = 21 January 2008 | time = 17:00 | team1 = {{fb-rt|NGR}} | score = 0–1 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080124032842/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=95823&ma=7&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|CIV}} | goals1 = | goals2 = Kalou {{goal|66}} | stadium = Sekondi Stadium, Sekondi-Takoradi | attendance = 20,088 | referee = Mohamed Benouza (Algeria) }} {{football box | date = 21 January 2008 | time = 19:45<ref>Kick-off delayed by 15 minutes due to floodlight failure</ref> | team1 = {{fb-rt|MLI}} | score = 1–0 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080124032847/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=95824&ma=8&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|BEN}} | goals1 = Kanouté {{goal|49|pen.}} | goals2 = | stadium = Sekondi Stadium, Sekondi-Takoradi | attendance = 11,000 | referee = Jerome Damon (South Africa) }} ---- {{football box | date = 25 January 2008 | time = 17:00 | team1 = {{fb-rt|CIV}} | score = 4–1 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080124032903/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=95827&ma=9&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|BEN}} | goals1 = Drogba {{goal|40}} <br> Y. Touré {{goal|44}} <br> Keïta {{goal|53}} <br> Dindane {{goal|63}} | goals2 = Omotoyossi {{goal|90}} | stadium = Sekondi Stadium, Sekondi-Takoradi | attendance = 13,000 | referee = Kenias Marange (Zimbabwe) }} {{football box | date = 25 January 2008 | time = 19:30 | team1 = {{fb-rt|NGR}} | score = 0–0 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080128191443/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=96021&ma=10&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|MLI}} | goals1 = | goals2 = | stadium = Sekondi Stadium, Sekondi-Takoradi | attendance = 16,000 | referee = Abderrahim El Arjoun (Morocco) }} ---- {{football box | date = 29 January 2008 | time = 17:00 | team1 = {{fb-rt|NGR}} | score = 2–0 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080124032858/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=95826&ma=11&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|BEN}} | goals1 = Mikel {{goal|53}} <br> Yakubu {{goal|86}} | goals2 = | stadium = Sekondi Stadium, Sekondi-Takoradi | attendance = 4,000 | referee = Kacem Bennaceur (Tunisia) }} {{football box | date = 29 January 2008 | time = 17:00 | team1 = {{fb-rt|CIV}} | score = 3–0 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080124032853/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=95825&ma=12&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|MLI}} | goals1 = Drogba {{goal|9}} <br> Zoro {{goal|54}} <br> Sanogo {{goal|86}} | goals2 = | stadium = Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra | attendance = 20,000 | referee = Eddy Maillet (Seychelles) }}
=== Group C === <onlyinclude>{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WDL |section=Group C |source=CAF
|team1=EGY|name_EGY={{fb|EGY}} |team2=CMR|name_CMR={{fb|CMR}} |team3=ZAM|name_ZAM={{fb|ZAM}} |team4=SUD|name_SUD={{fb|SUD}}
|update=complete |win_EGY=2|draw_EGY=1|loss_EGY=0|gf_EGY=8|ga_EGY=3 |win_CMR=2|draw_CMR=0|loss_CMR=1|gf_CMR=10|ga_CMR=5 |win_ZAM=1|draw_ZAM=1|loss_ZAM=1|gf_ZAM=5|ga_ZAM=6 |win_SUD=0|draw_SUD=0|loss_SUD=3|gf_SUD=0|ga_SUD=9
|res_col_header=Q |result1=KO |result2=KO |col_KO=green1 |text_KO=Advance to {{nowrap|knockout stage}} }}</onlyinclude>
{{football box | date = 22 January 2008 | time = 17:00 | team1 = {{fb-rt|EGY}} | score = 4–2 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080124032909/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=95828&ma=13&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|CMR}} | goals1 = Hosny {{goal|14|pen.|82}} <br> Zidan {{goal|17||45}} | goals2 = Eto'o {{goal|51||90|pen.}} | stadium = Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi | attendance = 42,000 | referee = Modou Sowe (Gambia) }} {{football box | date = 22 January 2008 | time = 19:30 | team1 = {{fb-rt|SUD}} | score = 0–3 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080124034431/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=95926&ma=14&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|ZAM}} | goals1 = | goals2 = Chamanga {{goal|2}} <br> J. Mulenga {{goal|50}} <br> F. Katongo {{goal|59}} | stadium = Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi | attendance = 35,000 | referee = Badara Diatta (Senegal) }} ---- {{football box | date = 26 January 2008 | time = 17:00 | team1 = {{fb-rt|CMR}} | score = 5–1 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080124032920/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=95830&ma=15&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|ZAM}} | goals1 = Geremi {{goal|28}} <br> Job {{goal|32||82}} <br> Emana {{goal|44}} <br> Eto'o {{goal|66|pen.}} | goals2 = C. Katongo {{goal|90}} | stadium = Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi | attendance = 10,000 | referee = Yuichi Nishimura (Japan) }} {{football box | date = 26 January 2008 | time = 19:30 | team1 = {{fb-rt|EGY}} | score = 3–0 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080129063136/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=95865&ma=16&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|SUD}} | goals1 = Hosny {{goal|29|pen.}} <br> Aboutrika {{goal|78||83}} | goals2 = | stadium = Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi | attendance = 15,000 | referee = Coffi Codjia (Benin) }} ---- {{football box | date = 30 January 2008 | time = 17:00 | team1 = {{fb-rt|CMR}} | score = 3–0 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080201010252/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=95865&ma=18&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|SUD}} | goals1 = Eto'o {{goal|27|pen.|90}} <br> El Khider {{goal|33|o.g.}} | goals2 = | stadium = Tamale Stadium, Tamale | attendance = 10,000 | referee = Kokou Djaoupe (Togo) }} {{football box | date = 30 January 2008 | time = 17:00 | team1 = {{fb-rt|EGY}} | score = 1–1 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080201010244/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=95865&ma=17&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|ZAM}} | goals1 = Zaki {{goal|15}} | goals2 = C. Katongo {{goal|88}} | stadium = Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi | attendance = 2,000 | referee = Koman Coulibaly (Mali) }}
=== Group D === <onlyinclude>{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WDL |section=Group D |source=CAF
|team1=TUN|name_TUN={{fb|TUN}} |team2=ANG|name_ANG={{fb|ANG}} |team3=SEN|name_SEN={{fb|SEN}} |team4=RSA|name_RSA={{fb|RSA}}
|update=complete |win_TUN=1|draw_TUN=2|loss_TUN=0|gf_TUN=5|ga_TUN=3 |win_ANG=1|draw_ANG=2|loss_ANG=0|gf_ANG=4|ga_ANG=2 |win_SEN=0|draw_SEN=2|loss_SEN=1|gf_SEN=4|ga_SEN=6 |win_RSA=0|draw_RSA=2|loss_RSA=1|gf_RSA=3|ga_RSA=5
|res_col_header=Q |result1=KO |result2=KO |col_KO=green1 |text_KO=Advance to {{nowrap|knockout stage}} }}</onlyinclude>
{{football box | date = 23 January 2008 | time = 17:00 | team1 = {{fb-rt|TUN}} | score = 2–2 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080124104728/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=95947&ma=19&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|SEN}} | goals1 = Jemâa {{goal|9}} <br> Traoui {{goal|82}} | goals2 = Sall {{goal|45}} <br> D. Kamara {{goal|66}} | stadium = Tamale Stadium, Tamale | attendance = 12,000 | referee = Yuichi Nishimura (Japan) }} {{football box | date = 23 January 2008 | time = 19:30 | team1 = {{fb-rt|RSA}} | score = 1–1 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080124104733/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=95952&ma=20&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|ANG}} | goals1 = Van Heerden {{goal|87}} | goals2 = Manucho {{goal|29}} | stadium = Tamale Stadium, Tamale | attendance = 15,000 | referee = Koman Coulibaly (Mali) }} ---- {{football box | date = 27 January 2008 | time = 17:00 | team1 = {{fb-rt|SEN}} | score = 1–3 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080201010240/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=95828&ma=21&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|ANG}} | goals1 = A. Faye {{goal|20}} | goals2 = Manucho {{goal|50||67}} <br> Flávio {{goal|78}} | stadium = Tamale Stadium, Tamale | attendance = 10,000 | referee = Modou Sowe (Gambia) }} {{football box | date = 27 January 2008 | time = 19:30 | team1 = {{fb-rt|TUN}} | score = 3–1 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080201010258/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=95952&ma=22&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|RSA}} | goals1 = Santos {{goal|8||34}} <br> Ben Saada {{goal|32}} | goals2 = Mphela {{goal|87}} | stadium = Tamale Stadium, Tamale | attendance = 15,000 | referee = Kokou Djaoupe (Togo) }} ---- {{football box | date = 31 January 2008 | time = 17:00 | team1 = {{fb-rt|SEN}} | score = 1–1 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080201064845/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=96204&ma=24&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|RSA}} | goals1 = H. Camara {{goal|36}} | goals2 = Van Heerden {{goal|14}} | stadium = Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi | attendance = 15,000 | referee = Alex Kotey (Ghana) }} {{football box | date = 31 January 2008 | time = 17:00 | team1 = {{fb-rt|TUN}} | score = 0–0 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080201064840/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=96203&ma=23&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|ANG}} | goals1 = | goals2 = | stadium = Tamale Stadium, Tamale | attendance = 10,000 | referee = Coffi Codjia (Benin) }}
== Knockout stage == {{#invoke:RoundN|N8 |style=white-space:nowrap|3rdplace=yes|bold_winner=high|widescore=yes <!--quarter-finals--> | 3 February – Accra | '''{{fb|GHA}}''' | '''2''' | {{fb|NGA}} | 1 | 4 February – Tamale | {{fb|TUN}} | 2 | '''{{fb|CMR}} {{aet}}'''| '''3''' | 3 February – Sekondi | '''{{fb|CIV}}''' | '''5''' | {{fb|GUI}} | 0 | 4 February – Kumasi | '''{{fb|EGY}}''' | '''2''' | {{fb|ANG}} | 1 <!--semi-finals--> | 7 February – Accra | {{fb|GHA}} | 0 | '''{{fb|CMR}}''' | '''1''' | 7 February – Kumasi | {{fb|CIV}} | 1 | '''{{fb|EGY}}''' | '''4''' <!--final--> | 10 February – Accra | {{fb|CMR}} | 0 | '''{{fb|EGY}}''' | '''1''' <!--third place--> | 9 February – Kumasi | '''{{fb|GHA}}''' | '''4''' | {{fb|CIV}} | 2 }}
=== Quarter-finals === {{football box | date = 3 February 2008 | time = 17:00 | team1 = {{fb-rt|GHA}} | score = 2–1 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080210040120/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=96204&ma=25&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|NGA}} | goals1 = Essien {{goal|45+2}} <br> Agogo {{goal|83}} | goals2 = Yakubu {{goal|35|pen.}} | stadium = Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra | attendance = 45,000 | referee = Mohamed Benouza (Algeria) }} ---- {{football box | date = 3 February 2008 | time = 20:30 | team1 = {{fb-rt|CIV}} | score = 5–0 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080210040125/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=96204&ma=26&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|GUI}} | goals1 = Keïta {{goal|25}} <br> Drogba {{goal|70}} <br> Kalou {{goal|72||81}} <br> B. Koné {{goal|85}} | goals2 = | stadium = Sekondi Stadium, Sekondi | attendance = 14,000 | referee = Djamel Haimoudi (Algeria) }} ---- {{football box | date = 4 February 2008 | time = 17:00 | team1 = {{fb-rt|EGY}} | score = 2–1 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080208100011/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=96204&ma=27&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|ANG}} | goals1 = Hosny {{goal|23|pen.}} <br> Zaki {{goal|38}} | goals2 = Manucho {{goal|27}} | stadium = Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi | attendance = 6,000 | referee = Yuichi Nishimura (Japan) }} ---- {{football box | date = 4 February 2008 | time = 20:30 | team1 = {{fb-rt|TUN}} | score = 2–3|aet=yes | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080208113314/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=96220&ma=28&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|CMR}} | goals1 = Ben Saada {{goal|34}} <br> Chikhaoui {{goal|81}} | goals2 = Mbia {{goal|18||93}} <br> Geremi {{goal|27}} | stadium = Tamale Stadium, Tamale | attendance = 15,000 | referee = Koman Coulibaly (Mali) }}
=== Semi-finals === {{football box | date = 7 February 2008 | time = 17:00 | team1 = {{fb-rt|GHA}} | score = 0–1 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080213194056/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=95849&ma=29&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|CMR}} | goals1 = | goals2 = N'Kong {{goal|72}} | stadium = Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra | attendance = 40,000 | referee = Abderahim El Arjoune (Morocco) }} ---- {{football box | date = 7 February 2008 | time = 20:30 | team1 = {{fb-rt|CIV}} | score = 1–4 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080213194102/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=95849&ma=30&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|EGY}} | goals1 = Keita {{goal|63}} | goals2 = Fathy {{goal|12}} <br> Zaki {{goal|61||67}} <br> Aboutrika {{goal|90+1}} | stadium = Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi | attendance = 30,000 | referee = Eddy Maillet (Seychelles) }}
=== Third place match === {{football box | date = 9 February 2008 | time = 17:00 | team1 = {{fb-rt|GHA}} | score = 4–2 | report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080214210815/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=95849&ma=31&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 Report] | team2 = {{fb|CIV}} | goals1 = Muntari {{goal|10}} <br> Owusu-Abeyie {{goal|70}} <br> Agogo {{goal|80}} <br> Draman {{goal|84}} | goals2 = Sanogo {{goal|24||32}} | stadium = Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi | attendance = 40,000 | referee = Jerome Damon (South Africa) }}
=== Final === {{main|2008 Africa Cup of Nations Final}}
{{football box | date = 10 February 2008 | time = 17:00 | team1 = {{fb-rt|CMR}} | score = 0–1 | report = {{citation needed|date=September 2025}} | team2 = {{fb|EGY}} | goals1 = | goals2 = Aboutrika {{goal|76}} | stadium = Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra | attendance = 35,500 | referee = Coffi Codjia (Benin) }}
== Awards == {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}
=== Player of the tournament === * {{flagicon|EGY}} Hosny Abd Rabo<ref>{{cite news | title = Abd Rabou wins best player award | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/7238058.stm | work = BBC Sport| date = 10 February 2008 | access-date = 11 February 2008}}</ref> {{col-2}}
=== Top scorer === * {{flagicon|CMR}} Samuel Eto'o – '''5 goals''' {{col-end}}
=== Best Goalkeeper === * {{flagicon|EGY}} Essam El Hadary
=== Best XI === The following players were selected as the best in their respective positions, based on their performances throughout the tournament. Their performances were analysed by the tournament's Technical Study Group (TSG), who picked the team.<ref>{{cite news|title=CAF names Best XI for Ghana 2008 ACN |url=http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&cmpt=0&module=media&ANC=&TNews=1&idrub=96375&idnews=82854 |publisher=cafonline.com |date=10 February 2008 |access-date=11 February 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080213103432/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&cmpt=0&module=media&ANC=&TNews=1&idrub=96375&idnews=82854 |archive-date=13 February 2008 }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0 auto" ! Goalkeepers ! Defenders ! Midfielders ! Forwards |- | align=left valign=top | {{flagicon|EGY}} Essam El Hadary <br> | align=left valign=top | {{flagicon|CMR}} Geremi <br> {{flagicon|EGY}} Wael Gomaa <br> {{flagicon|GHA}} Michael Essien <br> | align=left valign=top | {{flagicon|GHA}} Sulley Muntari <br> {{flagicon|CIV}} Yaya Touré <br> {{flagicon|CMR}} Alex Song <br> {{flagicon|EGY}} Hosny Abd Rabo <br> {{flagicon|EGY}} Mohamed Aboutrika <br> | align=left valign=top | {{flagicon|EGY}} Amr Zaki <br> {{flagicon|ANG}} Manucho <br> |}
;Substitutes * {{flagicon|GHA}} Richard Kingson * {{flagicon|EGY}} Hany Said * {{flagicon|EGY}} Ahmed Fathy * {{flagicon|TUN}} Saber Ben Frej * {{flagicon|CMR}} Stéphane Mbia * {{flagicon|CMR}} Samuel Eto'o * {{flagicon|CIV}} Didier Drogba * {{flagicon|CIV}} Kader Keïta
== Goalscorers == {{Goalscorers |goals=99 |matches=32 |5 goals= * {{flagicon|CMR}} Samuel Eto'o
|4 goals= * {{flagicon|ANG}} Manucho * {{flagicon|EGY}} Hosny Abd Rabo * {{flagicon|EGY}} Mohamed Aboutrika * {{flagicon|EGY}} Amr Zaki
|3 goals= * {{flagicon|CIV}} Didier Drogba * {{flagicon|CIV}} Salomon Kalou * {{flagicon|CIV}} Kader Keïta * {{flagicon|CIV}} Boubacar Sanogo * {{flagicon|GHA}} Junior Agogo * {{flagicon|GHA}} Sulley Muntari * {{flagicon|MAR}} Soufiane Alloudi
|2 goals= * {{flagicon|CMR}} Geremi * {{flagicon|CMR}} Joseph-Désiré Job * {{flagicon|CMR}} Stéphane Mbia * {{flagicon|EGY}} Mohamed Zidan * {{flagicon|GHA}} Michael Essien * {{flagicon|GUI}} Pascal Feindouno * {{flagicon|NAM}} Brian Brendell * {{flagicon|NGA}} Yakubu * {{flagicon|RSA}} Elrio van Heerden * {{flagicon|TUN}} Chaouki Ben Saada * {{flagicon|TUN}} Francileudo dos Santos * {{flagicon|ZAM}} Chris Katongo
|1 goal= * {{flagicon|ANG}} Flávio * {{flagicon|BEN}} Razak Omotoyossi * {{flagicon|CMR}} Achille Emana * {{flagicon|CMR}} Alain N'Kong * {{flagicon|CIV}} Aruna Dindane * {{flagicon|CIV}} Bakari Koné * {{flagicon|CIV}} Yaya Touré * {{flagicon|CIV}} Marco Zoro * {{flagicon|EGY}} Ahmed Fathy * {{flagicon|GHA}} Haminu Dramani * {{flagicon|GHA}} Asamoah Gyan * {{flagicon|GHA}} Quincy Owusu-Abeyie * {{flagicon|GUI}} Ismaël Bangoura * {{flagicon|GUI}} Oumar Kalabane * {{flagicon|GUI}} Souleymane Youla * {{flagicon|MLI}} Frédéric Kanouté * {{flagicon|MAR}} Hicham Aboucherouane * {{flagicon|MAR}} Abdeslam Ouaddou * {{flagicon|MAR}} Tarik Sektioui * {{flagicon|MAR}} Monsef Zerka * {{flagicon|NGA}} Mikel John Obi * {{flagicon|SEN}} Moustapha Bayal Sall * {{flagicon|SEN}} Henri Camara * {{flagicon|SEN}} Abdoulaye Diagne-Faye * {{flagicon|SEN}} Diomansy Kamara * {{flagicon|RSA}} Katlego Mphela * {{flagicon|TUN}} Yassine Chikhaoui * {{flagicon|TUN}} Issam Jemâa * {{flagicon|TUN}} Mejdi Traoui * {{flagicon|ZAM}} James Chamanga * {{flagicon|ZAM}} Felix Katongo * {{flagicon|ZAM}} Jacob Mulenga
|1 own goal= * {{flagicon|SUD}} Mohammed Ali El Khider (against Cameroon) }}
=== Tournament rankings === {| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" ! Ranking criteria |- | For teams eliminated in the same knockout round, the following criteria are applied, in the order given, to determine the final rankings: # Goal difference in round eliminated; # Goals scored in round eliminated; # If teams eliminated in the semi-finals or quarter-finals are tied, the above criteria are reapplied for the previous knockout round, with this process repeated once more should two semi-finalists remain tied; # Points in group stage; # Goal difference in group stage; # Goals scored in group stage; # Disciplinary points.
For teams eliminated in the group stage, the following criteria are applied, in the order given, to determine the final rankings:<ref name="manual">{{cite web|title=AFC Competition Operations Manual (Edition 2023)|url=https://assets.the-afc.com/downloads/miscellaneous-regulations/AFC-Competition-Operations-Manual-(Edition-2023).pdf|publisher=Asian Football Confederation|access-date=25 January 2024}}</ref> # Position in group; # Points; # Goal difference; # Goals scored; # Disciplinary points. |} {{Fb cl3 header navbar|p=yes|group=yes|no-extras=yes|fs=95}} {{Fb cl3 team|p=1|t={{fb|EGY}} |gr=D |no-extras=yes |w=5|d=1|l=0|gf=15|ga=5|bc=gold}} {{Fb cl3 team|p=2|t={{fb|CMR}} |gr=B |no-extras=yes |w=4|d=0|l=2|gf=14|ga=8|bc=silver}} {{Fb cl3 team|p=3|t={{fb|GHA}} |gr=A |no-extras=yes |w=5|d=0|l=1|gf=11|ga=5|bc=#c96}} {{Fb cl3 team|p=4|t={{fb|CIV}} |gr=C |no-extras=yes |w=4|d=0|l=2|gf=16|ga=9}} |- | colspan="11" | '''Eliminated in the quarter-finals''' |- {{Fb cl3 team|p=5|t={{fb|TUN}} |gr=B |no-extras=yes |w=1|d=2|l=1|gf=7|ga=6}} {{Fb cl3 team|p=6|t={{fb|ANG}} |gr=C |no-extras=yes |w=1|d=2|l=1|gf=5|ga=4}} {{Fb cl3 team|p=7|t={{fb|NGA}} |gr=A |no-extras=yes |w=1|d=1|l=2|gf=3|ga=3}} {{Fb cl3 team|p=8|t={{fb|GUI}} |gr=D |no-extras=yes |w=1|d=1|l=2|gf=5|ga=10}} |- | colspan="11" | '''Eliminated in the group stage''' |- {{Fb cl3 team|p=9|t={{fb|ZAM}} |gr=A |no-extras=yes |w=1|d=1|l=1|gf=5|ga=6}} {{Fb cl3 team|p=10|t={{fb|MLI}} |gr=D |no-extras=yes |w=1|d=1|l=1|gf=1|ga=3}} {{Fb cl3 team|p=11|t={{fb|MAR}} |gr=B |no-extras=yes |w=1|d=0|l=2|gf=7|ga=6}} {{Fb cl3 team|p=12|t={{fb|SEN}} |gr=C |no-extras=yes |w=0|d=2|l=1|gf=4|ga=6}} {{Fb cl3 team|p=13|t={{fb|RSA}} |gr=D |no-extras=yes |w=0|d=2|l=1|gf=3|ga=5}} {{Fb cl3 team|p=14|t={{fb|NAM}} |gr=B |no-extras=yes |w=0|d=1|l=2|gf=2|ga=7}} {{Fb cl3 team|p=15|t={{fb|BEN}} |gr=A |no-extras=yes |w=0|d=0|l=3|gf=1|ga=7}} {{Fb cl3 team|p=16|t={{fb|SDN}} |gr=C |no-extras=yes |w=0|d=0|l=3|gf=0|ga=9}} |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{commonscat-inline}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20080116023349/http://www.cafonline.com/?lng=1&module=accueil&cmpt=21&TNews= 2008 African Cup of Nations at CAFonline.com] * [https://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/africacup/ Africa Cup of Nations on BBC 1Xtra] * [https://archive.today/20121216112506/http://football.uk.reuters.com/african-cup-of-nations-2008/ African Cup of Nations 2008 coverage on Reuters.co.uk]
{{2008 Africa Cup of Nations finalists}} {{Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Africa Cup Of Nations}} Category:2008 Africa Cup of Nations 2008 Cup of Nations Cup of Nations Category:2007–08 in Ghanaian football Category:Men's international association football competitions hosted by Ghana Category:Football competitions in Accra Category:Sport in Kumasi Category:Tamale, Ghana Category:Sekondi-Takoradi Category:January 2008 sports events in Africa Category:February 2008 sports events in Africa