Guinea v Morocco (1976 African Cup of Nations)

Last updated
1976 African Cup of Nations Final
Event 1976 African Cup of Nations
Date14 March 1976
Venue Addis Ababa Stadium, Addis Ababa
Referee Nyirenda Chayu (Zambia)
Attendance30,000
1974
1978

Guinea v Morocco was the decisive match of group stage at the 1976 African Cup of Nations. The match was played at the Addis Ababa Stadium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 14 March 1976. Unlike most other Africa Cup of Nations, the 1976 winner was determined by a final group stage, with the final four teams playing in round-robin format, instead of a knockout stage. This was the last edition to feature a final group stage, while previously only the 1959 African Cup of Nations had also promoted this format.

Contents

Each team had defeated Egypt, while Morocco had also beaten Nigeria whereas Guinea had drawn against that same opponent. The point difference was in favor of Morocco, who was a single point clear off Guinea. Therefore, Guinea needed to win the last match to claim the title of champions of Africa; any other result would have Morocco take the title for the first time.

The match ended in a 1−1 draw with Morocco scoring a late equaliser, meaning the North Africans kept the first place in the group and won their only title to date. [1] As of 2023, both Guinea and Morocco had their best Africa Cup of Nations performances in this edition.

Background

Standings before the final match
TeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco 220042+24
Flag of Guinea.svg  Guinea 211053+23
Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 201123–11
Flag of Egypt (1972-1984).svg  Egypt 200236–30

In the 1976 African Cup of Nations, the eight qualified teams played in two groups of four, with the best two in each group qualifying for the final round-robin group.

Guinea had won group A with Egypt being runners-up. They had played each other in a 1–1 draw in their match with Guinea later beating Ethiopia and Uganda in their final two matches by the same 2–1 score. Egypt won 2–1 against Uganda and tied 1–1 with Ethiopia in the last group match.

Morocco won their group while Nigeria finished runners-up. Morocco tied 2–2 against Sudan in their first match and later won 1–0 against Zaire. Nigeria had won 4–2 against Zaire and 1–0 against Sudan. By the final group match Nigeria had a one point advantage over Morocco as both teams occupied the first two group B spots, however, the Moroccans beat Nigeria 3–1 and they swapped places.

In the first matches of the final round Morocco beat Egypt 2–1 while Guinea and Nigeria tied their match 1–1. The second matches was a repeat as all teams had played in the previous round. Morocco again beat Nigeria, this time 2–1, and Guinea won their match against Egypt 4–2. By the third and final matches of the tournament only Morocco and Guinea had a chance to win the game. The Moroccans had a one point advantage, meaning Guinea had to win the match in order to win the championship.

Match

Match details

Guinea  Flag of Guinea.svg1–1Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco
Souleymane Soccerball shade.svg33' Report Baba Soccerball shade.svg86'
Addis Ababa Stadium, Addis Ababa
Attendance: 30,000
Referee: Nyirenda Chayu (Zambia)
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Guinea
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Morocco
GK  Abdoulaye Sylla
RB  Jacob Bangoura
LB  Djibril Diarra
DM  Papa Camara
RM  Youssuf Jansky
CM  Chérif Souleymane
LM  Bengally Sylla Sub off.svg
AM  Ismail Sylla
RW  N'Jo Léa
CF  Petit Sory
LW  Morciré Sylla
Substitutes:
FW  Mory Koné Sub on.svg
Manager:
Flag of Romania (1965-1989).svg Petre Moldoveanu
GK  Mohammed Hazzaz
RB  Larbi Aherdane Sub off.svg 74'
CB  Brahim Glaoua
CB  Chérif Fetoui
AM  Abdallah Semmat Red card.svg
DM  Ahmed Abouali Sub off.svg 75'
CM  Baba
CF  Abdelâali Zahraoui
RF  Abdallah Tazi
LB  Larbi Chebbak
LF  Ahmed Faras
Substitutes:
MF  Abdelmajid Dolmy Sub on.svg 74'
FW  Redouane El Guezzar Sub on.svg 75'
Manager:
Flag of Romania (1965-1989).svg Virgil Mărdărescu

Aftermath

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco 321053+25Champions
2Flag of Guinea.svg  Guinea 312064+24
3Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 31115503
4Flag of Egypt (1972-1984).svg  Egypt 30035940
Source: [ citation needed ]
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers

References

  1. "African Nations Cup 1976". Rsssf.com. 2016-06-23. Retrieved 2019-07-02.