Today in History, exactly 42 years ago, on March 16, 1978, Ghana Black Stars became the first country to win the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) for keeps by beating Uganda 2-0 in the final of the tournament which was hosted at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The 1978 Africa Cup of Nations was the eleventh edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the football championship of Africa (CAF). It was hosted by Ghana.
The format of the competition changed from 1976: the field of eight teams was still split into two groups of four, but the final group stage was eliminated in favor of the knockout semifinals used in tournaments prior to 1976.
This was the third trophy for Ghana Black Stars after winning the first and second title in 1963 & 1965 respectively.
Ghana Black Stars earned the title ‘the Brazil of Africa’ after winning the AFCON for keeps, for emulating the pace set by Brazil in 1970, winning the World Cup for keeps, and also the mere fact that Ghana went to Brazil for their training tour ahead of the tournament.
The Ghana Black Stars defeated Uganda 2–0 with all two goals from Opoku Afriyie to win their third African Cup.
CAF had to get a new trophy for the Nations Cup staged in Nigeria in 1980 and fortunately enough the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa (SCSA) donated it.
The first trophy that the Black Stars won for keeps was called Mustapha Cup and the new one donated by the SCSA was christened the African Unity Cup.
Ghana squad:
Goalkeepers; Joseph Carr (Hasaacas), Abdulai Chesco (SS 1974), Fuseini Salifu (Asante Kotoko)
Defenders: P.S.K. Paha (Eleven Wise), Ofei Ansah (Hearts of Oak), Haruna Yusif (Corners), Isaac Acquaye (Dumas Boys of GTP), Awuley Quaye (Great Olympics -Captain), James Kuuku Dadzie (Hasaacas), Justice Moore (Eleven Wise).
Midfielders: Adolf Armah (Hearts of Oak), John Nketia Yawson (Eleven Wise), Addae Kyenkyehene (Asante Kotoko), Karim Abdul Razak (Asante Kotoko), Mohammed Ahmed Polo (Hearts of Oak)
Forwards: Dan Kayede (Great Olympics), George Alhassan (Great Olympics), Emmanuel Quarshie (Hasaacas), Opoku Afriyie (Asante Kotoko), Anas Seidu (Hearts of Oak), Willie Klutse (Dumas Boys), Kuntu Blankson (SS 1974)
Head coach: Fred Osam-Duodu
Assistant coach: E.K Afranie
This was the first time under Coach Frederick Osam Duodu to end the Championship drought of Ghana Black Stars since 1965.