The 1996 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) was the 20th edition of the biennial African football championship organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). It was hosted by South Africa from 13 January to 3 February 1996.
Host nation and venues
- Host: South Africa (first time the tournament was held in the country following the end of apartheid).
- Cities and stadiums: Matches were played in three venues: Ellis Park Stadium (Johannesburg), Odi Stadium (Mabopane), and Peter Mokaba Stadium (Polokwane).
Participating teams
A total of 15 national teams qualified for the final tournament. The competition format consisted of a group stage followed by knockout rounds. The teams were divided into four groups (A, B, C, D); Groups A, B, and C contained four teams each, while Group D had three teams.
Tournament format
- Group stage: Teams played each other once within their groups. The top two teams from each group advanced to the quarter‑finals.
- Knockout stage: Quarter‑finals, semi‑finals, a third‑place match, and the final were contested in single‑match elimination.
Key results
| Stage | Notable outcome |
|---|---|
| Final | South Africa defeated Tunisia 2–0 to win their first AFCON title. Goals were scored by Mark Williams and Doctor Khumalo. |
| Third place | Zambia defeated Ghana 1–0 to secure third place. |
| Top scorer (Golden Boot) | Rashidi Yekini (Nigeria) – 5 goals. |
| Best player (Golden Ball) | Kalusha Bwalya (Zambia). |
| Best goalkeeper | Ahmed Shobair (Egypt). |
Significance
- The tournament was notable for being the first major continental competition hosted by South Africa after its readmission to international sport.
- South Africa’s victory marked their inaugural AFCON championship.
- The competition was the first AFCON to feature a 16‑team format in the following edition; 1996 retained the 15‑team structure inherited from the 1994 tournament.
Legacy
The success of the 1996 African Cup of Nations demonstrated South Africa’s capacity to host large‑scale sporting events, paving the way for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which the nation later hosted. The tournament also contributed to the growing popularity of football across the continent during the 1990s.
