2008 Africa Cup of Nations

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2008 Africa Cup of Nations
MTN Africa Cup of Nations Ghana 2008
Essam El-Hadary
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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 (selected as hosts)
  • Libya
  • South Africa (withdrew)

The organization of the 2008

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).

Results
Nation Votes
Ghana 9
Libya 3
South Africa Withdrew
Total votes 12

Qualification

Main article: 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

A map of Africa showing the qualified nations, highlighted by stage reached.
  •  Ghana – Host, 16th appearance (4 titles)
  •  Ivory Coast – Group 1 winner, 17th appearance (1 title)
  •  Egypt – Group 2 winner, 21st appearance (5 titles)
  •  Nigeria – Group 3 winner, 15th appearance (2 titles)
  •  Sudan – Group 4 winner, 7th appearance (1 title)
  •  Cameroon – Group 5 winner, 15th appearance (4 titles)
  •  Angola – Group 6 winner, 4th appearance
  •  Senegal – Group 7 winner, 11th appearance
  •  Guinea – Group 8 winner, 9th appearance
  •  Mali – Group 9 winner, 5th appearance
  •  Namibia – Group 10 winner, 2nd appearance
  •  Zambia – Group 11 winner, 13th appearance
  •  Morocco – Group 12 winner, 14th appearance (1 title)
  •  Tunisia – Group 4 runner-up, 13th appearance (1 title)
  •  Benin – Group 9 runner-up, 2nd appearance
  •  South Africa – Group 11 runner-up, 7th appearance (1 title)

Venues

Accra
Kumasi
Ohene Djan Stadium
 Baba Yara Stadium
Capacity: 40,000[1] Capacity: 40,528
Tamale Sekondi-Takoradi
Tamale Stadium Sekondi-Takoradi Stadium
Capacity: 21,017 Capacity: 20,088

Tournament ball

The tournament ball "Wawa Aba"
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 the Euro. 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.[2] 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)”,[3] 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.[4]

Referees Assistant Referees
Algeria Mohamed Benouza Algeria Brahim Djezzar
Cameroon Divine Evehe Cameroon Evarist Menkouande
Japan Yuichi Nishimura Japan Toru Sagara
Morocco Abderrahim El Arjoun Morocco Redouane Achik
South Africa Jerome Damon South Africa Enock Molefe
Togo Kokou Djaoupe Togo Komi Konyoh
Tunisia Kacem Bennaceur Tunisia Bechir Hassani
Algeria Djamel Haimoudi South Korea Jeong Hae-sang
Benin Coffi Codjia Rwanda Celestin Ntagungira
The Gambia Modou Sowe Eritrea Angesom Ogbamariam
Ghana Alex Kotey Burundi Desire Gahungu
Mali Koman Coulibaly Burkina Faso Lassina Paré
Senegal Badara Diatta Nigeria Peter Edibe
Seychelles Eddy Maillet Angola Inacio Manuel Candido
Uganda Muhmed Ssegonga Egypt Nasser Sadek Abdel Nabi
Zimbabwe Kenias Marange Zambia Kenneth Chichenga

Squads

Main article: 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.[5] 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.

Pot 1 Pot 2 Pot 3 Pot 4
 Ghana (hosts)
 Egypt (title holders)
 Tunisia
 Nigeria 		 Ivory Coast
 Cameroon
 Morocco
 Senegal 		 South Africa
 Guinea
 Mali
 Zambia 		 Angola
 Benin
 Namibia
 Sudan

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:[6]

  1. points earned in the matches between the teams concerned;
  2. goal difference in the matches between the teams concerned;
  3. number of goals scored in the group matches between the teams concerned;
  4. goal difference in all group matches;
  5. number of goals scored in all group matches;
  6. drawing of lots by the organizing committee.

All times given as local time (

UTC+0
)

Group A

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Ghana (H) 3 3 0 0 5 1 +4 9 Advance to knockout stage
2  Guinea 3 1 1 1 5 5 0 4
3  Morocco 3 1 0 2 7 6 +1 3
4  Namibia 3 0 1 2 2 7 −5 1
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: [citation needed]
(H) Hosts
Ghana 2–1 Guinea
A. Gyan 55' (pen.)
Muntari 90'		 Report Kalabane 65'
Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra
Attendance: 35,000
)
Namibia 1–5 Morocco
Brendell 24' Report Alloudi 1', 5', 28'
Sektioui 40' (pen.)
Zerka 74'
Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra
Attendance: 2,000
)
Guinea 3–2 Morocco
Feindouno 11', 63' (pen.)
Bangoura 59'		 Report Aboucherouane 60'
Ouaddou 90'
Ghana 1–0 Namibia
Agogo 41' Report
Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra
Attendance: 40,000
)
Ghana 2–0 Morocco
Essien 26'
Muntari 45'		 Report
Gambia
)
Guinea 1–1 Namibia
Youla 62' Report Brendell 80'
Attendance: 1,000

Group B

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Ivory Coast 3 3 0 0 8 1 +7 9 Advance to knockout stage
2  Nigeria 3 1 1 1 2 1 +1 4
3  Mali 3 1 1 1 1 3 −2 4
4  Benin 3 0 0 3 1 7 −6 0
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: [citation needed]
Nigeria 0–1 Ivory Coast
Report Kalou 66'
Sekondi Stadium, Sekondi-Takoradi
Attendance: 20,088
)
19:45[7]
Mali 1–0 Benin
Kanouté 49' (pen.) Report
Sekondi Stadium, Sekondi-Takoradi
Attendance: 11,000
)
Ivory Coast 4–1 Benin
Drogba 40'
Y. Touré 44'
Keïta 53'
Dindane 63'		 Report Omotoyossi 90'
Nigeria 0–0 Mali
Report
Nigeria 2–0 Benin
Mikel 53'
Yakubu 86'		 Report
Ivory Coast 3–0 Mali
Zoro 54'
Sanogo
86'		 Report
Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra
Attendance: 20,000
)

Group C

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Egypt 3 2 1 0 8 3 +5 7 Advance to knockout stage
2  Cameroon 3 2 0 1 10 5 +5 6
3  Zambia 3 1 1 1 5 6 −1 4
4  Sudan 3 0 0 3 0 9 −9 0
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: [citation needed]
Egypt 4–2 Cameroon
Hosny 14' (pen.), 82'
Zidan 17', 45'		 Report Eto'o 51', 90' (pen.)
Gambia
)
Sudan 0–3 Zambia
Report Chamanga 2'
J. Mulenga 50'
F. Katongo 59'
Attendance: 35,000
Cameroon 5–1 Zambia
Emana 44'
Eto'o 66' (pen.
)		 Report
C. Katongo
90'
Attendance: 10,000
Egypt 3–0 Sudan
Hosny 29' (pen.)
Aboutrika 78', 83'		 Report
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: Coffi Codjia (Benin)
Cameroon 3–0 Sudan
Eto'o 27' (pen.), 90'
El Khider 33' (o.g.)		 Report
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Kokou Djaoupe (Togo)
Egypt 1–1 Zambia
Zaki 15' Report
C. Katongo
88'
Attendance: 2,000

Group D

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Tunisia 3 1 2 0 5 3 +2 5 Advance to knockout stage
2  Angola 3 1 2 0 4 2 +2 5
3  Senegal 3 0 2 1 4 6 −2 2
4  South Africa 3 0 2 1 3 5 −2 2
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: [citation needed]
Tunisia 2–2 Senegal
Jemâa 9'
Traoui 82'		 Report Sall 45'
D. Kamara 66'
Attendance: 12,000
South Africa 1–1 Angola
Van Heerden 87' Report Manucho 29'
Attendance: 15,000
Senegal 1–3 Angola
A. Faye 20' Report Manucho 50', 67'
Flávio 78'
Gambia
)
Tunisia 3–1 South Africa
Santos 8', 34'
Ben Saada
32'		 Report Mphela 87'
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: Kokou Djaoupe (Togo)
Senegal 1–1 South Africa
H. Camara 36' Report Van Heerden 14'
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: Alex Kotey (Ghana)
Tunisia 0–0 Angola
Report
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Coffi Codjia (Benin)

Knockout stage

 
Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
          
 
 3 February –
Accra
 
  Nigeria 1
 
  Ghana 0
 
 4 February – Tamale
 
  Cameroon 1
 
  
a.e.t.
)		 3
 
  
Sekondi
 
  Egypt 1
 
  Ivory Coast 5
 
 7 February – Kumasi
 
  Guinea 0
 
  Ivory Coast 1
 
 4 February – Kumasi
 
  Egypt 4 Third place
 
  Egypt 2
 
 9 February – Kumasi
 
  Angola 1
 
  Ghana 4
 
 
  Ivory Coast 2
 

Quarter-finals

Ghana 2–1 Nigeria
Essien 45+2'
Agogo 83'		 Report Yakubu 35' (pen.)
Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra
Attendance: 45,000
)
Ivory Coast 5–0 Guinea
Keïta 25'
Drogba 70'
Kalou 72', 81'
B. Koné 85'		 Report
Sekondi
Attendance: 14,000
)
Egypt 2–1 Angola
Hosny 23' (pen.)
Zaki 38'		 Report Manucho 27'
Attendance: 6,000
Tunisia 2–3 (a.e.t.) Cameroon
Ben Saada 34'
Chikhaoui 81'		 Report
Geremi
27'
Attendance: 15,000

Semi-finals

Ghana 0–1 Cameroon
Report N'Kong 72'
Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra
Attendance: 40,000
)
Ivory Coast 1–4 Egypt
Keita 63' Report Fathy 12'
Zaki 61', 67'
Aboutrika 90+1'
Attendance: 30,000

Third place match

Ghana 4–2 Ivory Coast
Muntari 10'
Owusu-Abeyie 70'
Agogo 80'
Draman 84'		 Report Sanogo 24', 32'
Attendance: 40,000

Final

Main article:
2008 Africa Cup of Nations Final
Cameroon 0–1 Egypt
Report Aboutrika 76'
Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra
Attendance: 35,500
)

Awards

Best Goalkeeper

  • 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.[9]

Goalkeepers Defenders Midfielders Forwards

Essam El-Hadary

Cameroon Geremi
Egypt Wael Gomaa
Ghana Michael Essien

Ghana Sulley Muntari
Ivory Coast Yaya Touré
Cameroon Alex Song
Egypt Hosny Abd Rabo
Egypt Mohamed Aboutrika

Egypt Amr Zaki
Angola Manucho

Substitutes

Goalscorers

5 goals
4 goals
3 goals
2 goals
1 goal
Own goals


Tournament rankings

Pos. Team G Pld W D L Pts GF GA GD
1  Egypt D 6 5 1 0 16 15 5 +10
2  Cameroon B 6 4 0 2 12 14 8 +6
3  Ghana A 6 5 0 1 15 11 5 +6
4  Ivory Coast C 6 4 0 2 12 16 9 +7
Eliminated in the quarter-finals
5  Tunisia B 4 1 2 1 5 7 6 +1
6  Angola C 4 1 2 1 5 5 4 +1
7  Nigeria A 4 1 1 2 4 3 3 0
8  Guinea D 4 1 1 2 4 5 10 −5
Eliminated in the group stage
9  Zambia A 3 1 1 1 4 5 6 −1
10  Mali D 3 1 1 1 4 1 3 −2
11  Morocco B 3 1 0 2 3 7 6 +1
12  Senegal C 3 0 2 1 2 4 6 −2
13  South Africa D 3 0 2 1 2 3 5 −2
14  Namibia B 3 0 1 2 1 2 7 −5
15  Benin A 3 0 0 3 0 1 7 −6
16  Sudan C 3 0 0 3 0 0 9 −9

References

  1. ^ "Ohene Djan Stadium will last "forever"- Micheletti". ghananewsagency.org. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  2. ^ Willis, W. Bruce (1998). The Adinkra Dictionary: A Visual Primer on the Language of Adinkra. Washington, DC: The Pyramid Complex. pp. 196–7.
  3. ISBN 9988-0-0130-4.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link
    )
  4. ^ Referees
  5. ^ Caf release Cup of Nations' seeds, "BBC Sport", 18 October 2007. Retrieved 4 February 2008.
  6. ^ Article 5, paragraph 13 in the Regulations of the XXVth Africa Cup of Nations guide.
  7. ^ Kick-off delayed by 15 minutes due to floodlight failure
  8. ^ "Abd Rabou wins best player award". BBC Sport. 10 February 2008. Retrieved 11 February 2008.
  9. ^ "CAF names Best XI for Ghana 2008 ACN". cafonline.com. 10 February 2008. Archived from the original on 13 February 2008. Retrieved 11 February 2008.
  10. ^ "AFC Competition Operations Manual (Edition 2023)" (PDF). Asian Football Confederation. Retrieved 25 January 2024.

External links

Media related to 2008 Africa Cup of Nations at Wikimedia Commons

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