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, split into four groups of four; the top two teams in each group advancing to the quarterfinals. However, Nigeria withdrew from the tournament at the final moment under pressure from then-dictator Sani Abacha, reducing the field to 15. South Africa won its first championship, beating Tunisia in the final 2–0. Qualified teams For full qualification see: 1996 African Cup of Nations qualification (holders)* (hosts) * Nigeria withdrew prior to the start of the finals. Guinea, as the best side to not qualify, was offered Nigeria's spot in the finals, but declined due to a lack of preparation time. Squads Venues First round Teams highlighted in green progress to the Quarter Finals. Group A Group B Group C withdrew, so their three matches were canceled. vs. , 16 January 1996 vs. , 19 January 1996 vs. , 25 January 1996 Group D Knockout stage Quarterfinals Semifinals Third place match Final Scorers 5 goals Kalusha Bwalya 4 goals John Moshoeu Mark Williams 3 goals Abedi Pele Ahmed El-Kass Imed Ben Younes Dennis Lota 2 goals Ali Meçabih Quinzinho François Omam-Biyik Brice Mackaya Tony Yeboah Zoubeir Baya Adel Sellimi Johnson Bwalya Kenneth Malitoli 1 goal Billel Dziri Tarek Lazizi Khaled Lounici Joni Paulão Aboubakari Ouédraogo Youssouf Traoré Boureima Zongo Georges Mouyémé Alphonse Tchami Joël Tiéhi Moussa Traoré Samir Ibrahim Ali Maher Aurelien Bekogo Guy Nzeng Felix Aboagye Charles Akonnor Kwame Ayew Mass Sarr Jr. Kelvin Sebwe Tico-Tico Mohamed Kallon John Gbassay Sessay Shaun Bartlett Mark Fish Phil Masinga Abdelkader Ben Hassen Hédi Berkhissa Kaies Ghodhbane Liombi Essende Roger Lukaku Elijah Litana Hillary Makasa Vincent Mutale Own goal Helder Vicente (for Cameroon) CAF Team of the Tournament Goalkeeper Chokri El Ouaer Defenders Yasser Radwan Mark Fish Elijah Litana Isaac Asare Midfielders Zoubeir Baya Hazem Emam Abedi Pele Mark Williams Forwards Kalusha Bwalya Tony Yeboah References External links Details at RSSSF Details at www.angelfire.com African Cup of Nations, 1996 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments Nations African Cup of Nations African Cup of Nations African Cup of Nations