Кубок африканских наций - ключевые соревнования between soccer teams on the continent. They are held under the auspices of the African Football Confederation since 1957. At the first tournament involved very few teams, now almost all the states of the African continent. Since 1968, the tournament has become regular and takes place every two years.
The Cup of African Nations was first held inthe capital of the Sudan city of Khartoum. In this tournament were attended by only three teams, in addition to the hosts, it was the Ethiopians and the Egyptians. The latter became winners, defeating Ethiopia 4: 0 in the final. It is noteworthy that all goals in the match scored striker El Dib.
It is interesting that initially in the first CupAfrican nations in football was supposed to participate in the national team of South Africa. But the federation of this country was willing to send a team consisting only of black or only of white players. At the same time, the continental federation insisted on a mixed team, as a result, in South Africa, they completely abandoned the trip to the cup.
Since 1968, the number of participants in the African Nations Cup has increased significantly. To the tournament were allowed 18 teams. Then the first qualifying tournament took place.
In its history, this tournament was held 31 times.At the moment, the triumphant team is Egypt, which owns 7 titles. The last time Egypt won the African Nations Cup in 2010, when in the final match in a bitter struggle defeated the national team of Ghana. The only goal for 5 minutes before the end of regular time scored Gedo.
The second place in the list of the most titledAfrican teams are Cameroon, who won this title five times, four cups from the national team of Ghana, three from Nigeria, two from Cote d'Ivoire and DR Congo, one from Zambia, Sudan, Tunisia, Algeria, Ethiopia, South Africa, Morocco and Republic of the Congo.
Attention deserves and statistics of scorersthe final tournaments of the Cups of African nations. Here the absolute leader of Cameroonian Samuel Eto'o on his account 18 goals. He completed his career a few years ago. In second place Ivorian Laurent Poku, who played in the 60-70's, he scored 14 goals. The third line of the Nigerian Rashidi Yekini, in the 80-90s he scored 13 goals in the Cup of Africa.
The results of the African Nations Cup were last held in 2017. The tournament was held in Gabon, in the final stage were attended by 16 teams, divided into 4 groups.
Gabon's national team never starved from the sky,but at home championships nobody has allowed herself to be beat. True, I never won. Having played all three games in a draw, the Gaboneses took third place in Group A, remaining out of the playoffs.
From the surprises of the group stage it is worth highlightingfiasco of the national team of Côte d'Ivoire, arrived in the rank of the current champion. In group C, the Ivorians played in a draw with Togo and DR Congo, lost to Morocco, took third place.
At the stage 1/4 of the finals the most intense happenedthe confrontation between Cameroon and Senegal. Neither the main nor additional time revealed the winner, and to score a goal so it was not possible for anybody - 0: 0. In the penalty shootout, the players were accurate until the fifth strike. Cameroonian Vincent Abubakar was accurate, and Senegalese Sadio Manet missed.
In the semi-finals, Cameroon has alreadythe Ghana national team, beating 2-0. But in the second confrontation again came the matter to the penalty shootout. Egypt and Burkina Faso played a 1: 1 draw in regular time. When it came to the penalty shootout, they missed both. As a result, Egypt defeated 4: 3.
The final of the Nations Cup was initially in favor ofEgyptians. At the 22nd minute, Mohammed El Nenni opened an account that lasted until 60 minutes, until Nicolas N'Kulu recovered his balance. And on 89 minutes Vincent Abubakar scored the decisive goal, providing Cameroon with the fifth title in history.
In 2019, the next African Nations Cup will be held. Qualifying tournament started in March 2017. In total, 51 teams take part in it.
At the preliminary stage, the winner was determined in a two-legged confrontation. Madagascar was stronger than Sao Tome and Principe, the Comoros won against Mauritius, and South Sudan from Djibouti.
In the group stage the teams are divided into 12 groups, inEach team has 4 teams. Including the national team of Cameroon, has already won a ticket to the tournament. In the final part will be the winners and three teams from the second place.
The cup will take place in Cameroon in June-July 2019.
