The Qualification for the
1996 African Cup of Nations
The 1996 African Cup of Nations was the 20th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the football championship of Africa ( CAF). It was hosted by South Africa, who replaced original hosts Kenya. The field expanded for the first time to 16 teams, s ...
took place in 7 groups of 6 teams each, with the top 2 teams from each group progressing to the tournament. Nigeria and South Africa qualified automatically, as champions and hosts respectively. Qualification began in September 1994 and ended in July 1995.
Qualifying round
Group 1
Lesotho withdrew after competing 6 matches (1 win, 5 losses); Their results were annulled. Swaziland withdrew without playing any matches.
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Group 2
Guinea Bissau withdrew after competing 3 matches (1 draw, 2 losses); their results were annulled.
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Group 3
Gambia and Niger withdrew after competing 5 matches each; their results were annulled. Central African Republic withdrew without playing any match.
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Group 4
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''Match awarded 2–0 to Algeria following a protest to
CAF.''
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Group 5
South Africa withdrew from qualification (played 3 matches) after they were awarded hosting rights. They were replaced by Kenya, which later withdrew.
Madagascar withdrew after one match (lost to South Africa). Seychelles withdrew before playing any match. All results of the withdrawn teams were annulled.
Awarded hosting rights
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Group 6
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Group 7
Benin, Cape Verde and Equatorial Guinea withdrew without playing any matches.
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Qualified teams
* Nigeria
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...
withdrew prior to the start of the finals. Guinea
Guinea ( ),, fuf, 𞤘𞤭𞤲𞤫, italic=no, Gine, wo, Gine, nqo, ߖߌ߬ߣߍ߫, bm, Gine officially the Republic of Guinea (french: République de Guinée), is a coastal country in West Africa. It borders the Atlantic Ocean to the we ...
, as the best side to not qualify, was offered Nigeria's spot in the finals, but declined due to a lack of preparation time.
External links
African Nations Cup 1996
{{Africa Cup of Nations
Africa Cup of Nations qualification
Qual
Qual
qualification
Qualification is either the process of qualifying for an achievement, or a credential attesting to that achievement, and may refer to:
* Professional qualification, attributes developed by obtaining academic degrees or through professional exper ...