Third place match-up and final: previous meetings

Strangely enough, both meetings will be rematches of group stage matches played earlier at this year's AFCON tournament. The third place match is also a rematch of the third-place match played last year at the 2012 AFCON tournament. 

Here is a recap of the previous meetings from these two match-ups, including the recent meetings:

Ghana vs Mali

• AFCON 1976 (qualifying phase)
• April 13, 1975: Mali 3, Ghana 1
• April 27, 1975: Ghana 4, Mali 0
• 2010 FIFA World Cup (qualifying phase)
• June 7, 2009: Mali 0, Ghana 2 
• Game played at Stade 26 Mars in Bamako
• November 15, 2009: Ghana 2, Mali 2
• Game played at Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi
• AFCON 2012 (the first meeting was in the group stage; the second meeting was the third-place match)
• January 28, 2012: Ghana 2, Mali 0
• Game played at Stade de Franceville in Franceville, Gabon
• February 11, 2012: Mali 2, Ghana 0
• Game played at Nuevo Estadio de Malabo in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
• AFCON 2013 (group stage)
• January 24, 2013: Ghana 1, Mali 0
• Game played at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Nigeria vs Burkina Faso

• AFCON 1978
• March 5, 1978: Nigeria 4, Upper Volta 2
• Game played at Accra Sports Stadium in Accra, Ghana
• 1998 FIFA World Cup 
• November 9, 1996: Nigeria 2, Burkina Faso 0
• Game played at Lagos National Stadium in Lagos
• April 27, 1997: Burkina Faso 1, Nigeria 2
• Game played at Stade du 4-Août in Ouagadougou
• 2001 FIFA U-17 World Cup 
• September 27, 2001: Nigeria 1, Burkina Faso 0
• Game played at Larry Gomes Stadium in Arima, Trinidad & Tobago
• AFCON 2013 (group stage)
• January 21, 2013: Burkina Faso 1, Nigeria 1
• Game played at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, South Africa

Semifinal matchups and histories prior

Four teams remain, and they come from Groups B & C.

First Semifinal at Durban:

Mali vs Nigeria

• 1999 FIFA U-20 World Cup (quarterfinals)
• April 18, 1999: Nigeria 1, Mali 3
• Game played at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu
• 2002 African Cup of Nations (first match was in group stage, second match was third-place match)
• January 24, 2002: Mali 0, Nigeria 0
• Game played at Stade 26 Mars in Bamako
• February 9, 2002: Mali 0, Nigeria 1
• Game played at Stade Barema Bocoum in Mopti
• 2004 African Cup of Nations (third-place match)
• February 13, 2004: Nigeria 2, Mali 1
• Game played at Stade Mustapha Ben Jannet in Monastir, Tunisia
• 2008 African Cup of Nations (group stage)
• January 25, 2008: Nigeria 0, Mali 0
• Game played at Sekondi Stadium in Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana
• Friendlies
• July 14, 1978: Nigeria 3, Mali 1
• Game played in Algiers, Algeria
• December 18, 1983: Mali 0, Nigeria 0
• Game played in Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Second semifinal at Nelspruit:

Burkina Faso vs Ghana

• 1978 AFCON (group stage)
• March 10, 1978: Ghana 3, Burkina Faso (Upper Volta) 0
• Game played at Accra Sports Stadium in Accra
• 2006 FIFA World Cup (second round qualifying)
• June 5, 2004: Burkina Faso 1, Ghana 0
• Game played at Stade du 4-Aout in Ouagadougou
• June 5, 2005: Ghana 2, Burkina Faso 1
• Game played at Kumasi National Sports Council Stadium in Kumasi
• 2010 AFCON
• January 19, 2010: Ghana 1, Burkina Faso 0
• Game played at Estadio 11 de Novembro in Luanda, Angola
• Friendlies
• October 1, 1967: Ghana 5, Burkina Faso (Upper Volta) 2
• Game played in Accra
• February 19, 1982: Ghana 1, Burkina Faso (Upper Volta) 0
• Game played in Cotonou, Benin

Overall records of the four quarterfinal matches in South Africa

With the four quarterfinal matches set this weekend, here is a look at the histories of these matches.

First quarterfinal at Port Elizabeth's Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium:

Ghana vs Cape Verde Islands

2006 FIFA World Cup (second round qualifying)

• September 5, 2004: Ghana 2, Cape Verde Islands 0
• Game played at National Sports Council Stadium in Kumasi
• October 8, 2005: Cape Verde Islands 0, Ghana 4
• Game played at Estadio da Varzea in Praia
• NOTE: Ghana qualified for its first ever World Cup on October 8, the same day that South Africa and DR Congo tied its match.

Friendly:

• November 14, 2012: Ghana 1, Cape Verde Islands 0
• Game played at Estadio Universitario de Lisboa in Lisbon, Portugal

Second quarterfinal at Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium:

South Africa vs Mali

2002 African Cup of Nations (quarterfinal)

• February 3, 2002: Mali 2, South Africa 0
• Game played at Stade Abdoulaye Nakoro Cissoko in Kayes
• Among players on squads from that tournament still playing
• MALI: Seydou Keita, Fousenni Diawara, Adama Coulibaly, 

Third quarterfinal at Rustenburg's Royal Bafokeng Stadium:

Ivory Coast vs Nigeria

1968 African Cup of Nations (group stage)

• March 12, 1967: Nigeria 0, Ivory Coast 0
• Game played in Lagos
• May 7, 1967: Ivory Coast 2, Nigeria 0
• Game played in Abidjan

1978 FIFA World Cup (third round playoff)

• July 10, 1997: Nigeria 4, Ivory Coast 0
• Game played in Lagos
• July 25, 1997: Ivory Coast 2, Nigeria 2
• Game played in Abidjan

1980 African Cup of Nations (group stage)

• March 12, 1980: Nigeria 0, Ivory Coast 0
• Game played at Surulere Stadium in Lagos

1990 African Cup of Nations (groups stage)

• March 8, 1990: Nigeria 1, Ivory Coast 0
• Game played at Stade 5 Julliet 1962 in Algiers, Algeria

1994 FIFA World Cup (final group stage)

• May 2, 1993: Ivory Coast 2, Nigeria 1
• Game played at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan
• September 25, 1993: Nigeria 4, Ivory Coast 1
• Game played at Lagos National Stadium in Lagos 

1994 African Cup of Nations (semifinal)

• April 6, 1994: Nigeria 2, Ivory Coast 2 (after extra time, Nigeria defeats Ivory Coast 4-2 on penalty shootout)
• Game played at Stade de Mensah in Tunis, Tunisia

2006 African Cup of Nations (semifinal)

• February 7, 2006: Ivory Coast 1, Nigeria 0
• Game played at Harras El-Hedoud Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt

2008 African Cup of Nations (group stage)

• January 21, 2008: Ivory Coast 1, Nigeria 0
• Game played at Sekondi Stadium in Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana

2008 Men's Olympic Football Tournament (quarterfinals)

• August 16, 2008: Nigeria 2, Ivory Coast 0
• Game played at Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium in Qinhuangdao, China

Friendlies:

• June 23, 1985: Ivory Coast 1, Nigeria 1
• Game played at Abidjan
• January 4, 1987: Nigeria 0, Ivory Coast 0
• Game played in Lagos
• January 18, 1987: Ivory Coast 1, Nigeria 0
• Game played at Abidjan
• January 12, 2002: Ivory Coast 1, Nigeria 1
• Game played a Abidjan

Fourth quarterfinal at Nelspruit's Mbombela Stadium:

Burkina Faso vs Togo 

1992 African Cup of Nations (Group 4 in qualifying round)

• September 2, 1990: Burkina Faso 2, Togo 0
• Game played in Ouagadougou
• April 21, 1991: Togo 1, Burkina Faso 0
• Game played in Lome

Friendlies:

• November 30, 1971: Togo 1, Burkina Faso 0
• Game played at Lome
• December 12, 1971: Burkina Faso 1, Togo 2
• Game played at Ouagadougou
• February 17, 1982: Togo 2, Burkina Faso 1
• Game played at Cotonou, Benin

Potential opponent for Ivory Coast: Ethiopia

With each team playing two games each, the 2013 African Cup of Nations could not be any tighter. Yet, the Ivory Coast became the first team to qualify, while Algeria became the first team eliminated from the tournament. With the Ivory Coast looking on track to win its first African Cup of Nations since 1992, we look at the records of the potential quarterfinals opponents for the Ivory Coast to see if the country can return to the final yet again.

While its next game is against Algeria, the Ivory Coast would not play a meaningful match until February 3 in the quarterfinals at Rustenburg:

Ivory Coast vs Ethiopia

Ethiopia can finish as runners-up at best in its group. To do that, Ethiopia must defeat Nigeria and Zambia must either lose or draw against Burkina Faso. If that happens, Ethiopia will meet the Ivory Coast for the fourth time ever. 

While the other three meetings have been at AFCON, reach the Ethiopia has not faced the Ivory Coast in nearly 43 years. The previous three meetings are as follows:

1968 African Cup of Nations (first meeting in the group stage; second meeting in the third-place match)

• January 14, 1968: Ethiopia 1, Ivory Coast 0
• Game played at Haile Selassie Stadium in Addis Ababa
• January 21, 1968: Ivory Coast 1, Ethiopia 0
• Game played at Haile Selassie Stadium in Addis Ababa

1970 African Cup of Nations

• February 10, 1970: Ivory Coast 6, Ethiopia 1
• Game played at Municipal Stadium in Khartoum, Sudan

Potential opponent for Ivory Coast: Nigeria

With each team playing two games each, the 2013 African Cup of Nations could not be any tighter. Yet, the Ivory Coast became the first team to qualify, while Algeria became the first team eliminated from the tournament. With the Ivory Coast looking on track to win its first African Cup of Nations since 1992, we look at the records of the potential quarterfinals opponents for the Ivory Coast to see if the country can return to the final yet again.

While its next game is against Algeria, the Ivory Coast would not play a meaningful match until February 3 in the quarterfinals at Rustenburg:

Ivory Coast vs Nigeria

Another scenario with two heavyweights meeting in the quarterfinals could happen should the Ivory Coast face Nigeria. Nigeria would face the Ivory Coast in the quarterfinals if:

• Nigeria wins against Ethiopia AND Zambia wins against Burkina Faso AND Zambia outscores Nigeria.
• Nigeria and Zambia both tie their matches AND Nigeria outscores Zambia. If both teams score the same amount of goals, the next tie-breaker would come down to a better booking record, and if need be, the dreaded casting of lots.

In addition to four friendlies, these two nations have meet at these tournaments:

1968 African Cup of Nations (group stage)

• March 12, 1967: Nigeria 0, Ivory Coast 0
• Game played in Lagos
• May 7, 1967: Ivory Coast 2, Nigeria 0
• Game played in Abidjan

1978 FIFA World Cup (third round playoff)

• July 10, 1997: Nigeria 4, Ivory Coast 0
• Game played in Lagos
• July 25, 1997: Ivory Coast 2, Nigeria 2
• Game played in Abidjan

1980 African Cup of Nations (group stage)

• March 12, 1980: Nigeria 0, Ivory Coast 0
• Game played at Surulere Stadium in Lagos

1990 African Cup of Nations (groups stage)

• March 8, 1990: Nigeria 1, Ivory Coast 0
• Game played at Stade 5 Julliet 1962 in Algiers, Algeria

1994 FIFA World Cup (final group stage)

• May 2, 1993: Ivory Coast 2, Nigeria 1
• Game played at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan
• September 25, 1993: Nigeria 4, Ivory Coast 1
• Game played at Lagos National Stadium in Lagos 

1994 African Cup of Nations (semifinal)

• April 6, 1994: Nigeria 2, Ivory Coast 2 (after extra time, Nigeria defeats Ivory Coast 4-2 on penalty shootout)
• Game played at Stade de Mensah in Tunis, Tunisia

2006 African Cup of Nations (semifinal)

• February 7, 2006: Ivory Coast 1, Nigeria 0
• Game played at Harras El-Hedoud Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt

2008 African Cup of Nations (group stage)

• January 21, 2008: Ivory Coast 1, Nigeria 0
• Game played at Sekondi Stadium in Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana

2008 Men's Olympic Football Tournament (quarterfinals)

• August 16, 2008: Nigeria 2, Ivory Coast 0
• Game played at Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium in Qinhuangdao, China

Potential opponent for Ivory Coast: Zambia

With each team playing two games each, the 2013 African Cup of Nations could not be any tighter. Yet, the Ivory Coast became the first team to qualify, while Algeria became the first team eliminated from the tournament. With the Ivory Coast looking on track to win its first African Cup of Nations since 1992, we look at the records of the potential quarterfinals opponents for the Ivory Coast to see if the country can return to the final yet again.

While its next game is against Algeria, the Ivory Coast would not play a meaningful match until February 3 in the quarterfinals at Rustenburg:

Ivory Coast vs Zambia

A potential rematch of last year's AFCON final could come in the quarterfinals instead of the final at Johannesburg's Soccer City Stadium. Zambia would face the Ivory Coast in the quarterfinals if:

• Zambia wins against Burkina Faso AND Nigeria wins against Ethiopia AND Nigeria outscores Zambia.
• Zambia and Nigeria both tie their matches AND Zambia outscores Nigeria. If both teams score the same amount of goals, the next tie-breaker would come down to a better booking record, and if need be, the dreaded casting of lots.

These teams have meet four times at an AFCON tournament, and the results are as follows:

1974 African Cup of Nations (group stage)

• March 2, 1974: Zambia 1, Ivory Coast 0
• Game played at El-Malhalla Stadium in El-Malhalla El-Kubra, Egypt

1992 African Cup of Nations (quarterfinals)

• January 20, 1992: Ivory Coast 1, Zambia 0 (after extra time)
• Game played at Stade Leopold Senghor in Dakar, Senegal

1994 African Cup of Nations (group stage)

• March 31, 1994: Zambia 1, Ivory Coast 0
• Game played at Stade Olympique de Sousse in Sousse, Tunisia

2012 African Cup of Nations (final)

• February 12, 2012: Zambia 0, Ivory Coast 0 (after extra time, Zambia defeats Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalty shootout)
• Game played at Stade d'Angondje in Libreville, Gabon
• NOTE: Zambia's victory over the Ivory Coast came 19 years after a plane crash killed 30 people, including 18 players of the national team.

Potential opponent for Ivory Coast: Burkina Faso

With each team playing two games each, the 2013 African Cup of Nations could not be any tighter. Yet, the Ivory Coast became the first team to qualify, while Algeria became the first team eliminated from the tournament. With the Ivory Coast looking on track to win its first African Cup of Nations since 1992, we look at the records of the potential quarterfinals opponents for the Ivory Coast to see if the country can return to the final yet again.

While its next game is against Algeria, the Ivory Coast would not play a meaningful match until February 3 in the quarterfinals at Rustenburg:

Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso

Despite being in the drivers seat in Group C, Burkina Faso can still finish second in the group. Burkina Faso would play the Ivory Coast if:

• Burkina Faso ties its final match against Zambia AND Nigeria defeats Ethiopia AND Nigeria overtakes Burkina Faso on either goal difference or goals scored.
• Burkina Faso loses its match AND Nigeria either ties or loses against Ethiopia.

If either scenario happens, these teams will meet for the eighth time, with Burkina Faso never haven beaten the Ivory Coast. In addition to a 1982 friendly at Cotonou, Benin (which the teams played to a 1-1 draw), these two teams have met at qualifying for three major events:

Please note that Burkina Faso played as the Upper Volta until 1984.

1978 FIFA World Cup (first round playoff)

• September 4, 1976: Burkina Faso 1, Ivory Coast 1
• Game played at Ouagadougou
• September 26, 1976: Ivory Coast 2, Burkina Faso 0
• Game played at Abidjan

1978 African Cup of Nations (first round playoff)

• September 18, 1977: Burkina Faso 0, Ivory Coast 1
• Game played at Ouagadougou
• October 2, 1977: Ivory Coast 4, Burkina Faso 1
• Game played in Abijdan
• Although its results still count, for reasons unknown, the Ivory coast was disqualified from the African Cup of Nations. Interestingly enough, Burkina Faso qualified despite never having won a game: its next opponent, Mali, withdrew from qualifying.

2010 FIFA World Cup (third round group stage)

• June 20, 2009: Burkina Faso 2, Ivory Coast 3
• Game played at Stade du 4-A-oût in Ouagadougou
• September 5, 2009: Ivory Coast 5, Burkina Faso 0
• Game played at Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abijdan

2013 AFCON: Group D

Group D of the 2013 African Cup of Nations is by far the toughest group in the tournament. The Ivory Coast is looking to reach the final once again, but this time must get out of a group that contains the north African duo of Tunisia and Algeria, as well as Togo.

Togo has been through a somewhat long odyssey getting here after the team withdrew during AFCON 2010 because of a bus attack, while the north African duo look to win their second AFCON tournament ever. Both nations won the title previously on home soil, with Algeria winning in 1990 and Tunisia in 2004.

Here are a live of some of the notable meetings among the teams in Group D. Please note that:

1. The home teams will be listed first unless otherwise indicated.
2. Matches played during qualifying in group play will be in aqua font; matches played as a two-legged playoff will be in italics.
3. Matches played during a tournament will be in lime font: unless indicated, the games will be understood as that having been played in the group stage.
4. Anything in parentheses indicated the current name of the venue.

Ivory Coast vs Togo

• AFCON 1968
• August 16, 1967: Togo 0, Ivory Coast 2
• November 15, 1967: Ivory Coast 3, Togo 0
• AFCON 1984 
• March 4, 1984: Ivory Coast 3, Togo 0
• Game played at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan
• AFCON 2000 
• January 24, 2000: Ivory Coast 1, Togo 1
• Game played at Accra Sports Stadium in Accra, Ghana
• AFCON 2008 
• January 21, 2002: Ivory Coast 0, Togo 
• Game played at Stade Babemba Traore in Sikasso, Mali

Tunisia vs Algeria

• 1970 FIFA World Cup 
• November 17, 1968: Algeria 1, Tunisia 2
• Game played in Algiers
• December 29, 1968: Tunisia 0, Algeria 0
• Game played in Tunis
• AFCON 1976
• March 25, 1975: Tunisia 1, Algeria 1
• Game played in Tunis
• April 6, 1975: Algeria 1, Tunisia 2
• Game played in Oran
• 1978 FIFA World Cup 
• February 6, 1977: Tunisia 2, Algeria 0
• Game played in Tunis
• February 28, 1977: Algeria 1, Tunisia 1
• Game played in Algiers
• 1986 FIFA World Cup 
• October 6, 1985: Tunisia 1, Algeria 4
• Game played at Stade El Menzah in Tunis
• October 18, 1985: Algeria 3, Tunisia 0
• Game played at Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers
• AFCON 1988 
• March 27, 1987: Algeria 1, Tunisia 0
• Game played in Algiers
• April 12, 1987: Tunisia 1, Algeria 1
• Game played in Tunis
• AFCON 2000 
• January 22, 1999: Algeria 0, Tunisia 1
• Game played in Algiers
• June 6, 1999: Tunisia 2, Algeria 0
• Game played in Tunis

Ivory Coast vs Tunisia

• 1974 FIFA World Cup
• February 11, 1973: Tunisia 1, Ivory Coast 1
• Game played in Tunis
• February 25, 1973: Ivory Coast 2, Tunisia 1
• Game played in Abidjan
• AFCON 1996 
• January 25, 1996: Tunisia 3, South Africa 1
• Game played at EPRU Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa
• 2002 FIFA World Cup 
• June 6, 2000: Ivory Coast 2, Tunisia 2
• Game played at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan
• May 20, 2001: Tunisia 1, Ivory Coast 1
• Game played Stade El Menzah in Tunis

Algeria vs Togo

• AFCON 1994
• October 4, 1992: Togo 0, Algeria 0
• Game played in Lome
• April 23, 1993: Algeria 4, Togo 0
• Game played in Algiers
• A side note on this series is that Togo withdrew from qualifying following the second game against Algeria. Although their record was four draws and two losses, the final record is wiped away. Algeria finished second behind Sierra Leone in the group, but was disqualified from AFCON 1994 due to the use of an ineligible player. Senegal, the third place finisher in the group, took Algeria's spot in the tournament.

Algeria vs Ivory Coast

• AFCON 1968 
• January 12, 1968: Ivory Coast 3, Algeria 0
• Game played in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• AFCON 1988 
• March 13, 1988: Algeria 1, Ivory Coast 1
• Game played in Casablanca, Morocco
• AFCON 1990 
• March 5, 1990: Algeria 3, Ivory Coast 0
• Game played at Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers
• AFCON 1992 
• January 13, 1992: Ivory Coast 3, Algeria 0
• Game played at Stade Aline Sitoe Diatta in Ziguinchor, Senegal
• AFCON 1998 (qualifying)
• October 6, 1996: Algeria 4, Ivory Coast 1
• Game played at Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers
• June 22, 1997: Ivory Coast 2, Algeria 1
• Game played at Stade Bouake in Bouake
• AFCON 2010 
• January 24, 2010: Algeria 3, Ivory Coast 2 (after extra time)
• Game played at Estadio Nacional do Chiazi in Cabinda, Angola

Togo vs Tunisia

• AFCON 1996 
• November 13, 1994: Tunisia 1, Togo 1
• Game played at Stade El Menzah in Tunis
• June 4, 1995: Togo 0, Tunisia 1
• Game played in Lome
• AFCON 1998 
• February 16, 1998: Tunisia 3, Togo 1
• Game played at Stade Municipal in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
• AFCON 2012
• October 10, 2010: Togo 1, Tunisia 2
• Game played at Stade de Kegue in Lome
• October 8, 2011: Tunisia 2, Togo 0
• Game played at Stade 7 November in Rades
• A side note on the second meeting in 2012 qualifying is that even with the win, Tunisia was on the cusp of missing out on AFCON 2012. That was until a last gasp goal from Chad knocked Malawi out and sent Tunisia as the second place team in the group and the automatic qualifying spot.

AFCON 2013: Group C

Group C of the 2013 African Cup of Nations contains Zambia looking to defending its title they won this past February. This time around, Nigeria will give Zambia a rather stern test in the group, looking to make amends for failing to reach the last AFCON tournament.

As for Ethiopia, this will be the first tournament for the nation since 1982, after surviving both of their legs by away goals to reach the stage. Burkina Faso, on the other hand, eked out a late stoppage time goal to break the hearts of the Central African Republic. They will also look to make amends after losing all three matches at AFCON 2012.


Here are a live of some of the notable meetings among the teams in Group C include the following. Please note that:

1. The home teams will be listed first unless otherwise indicated.
2. Matches played during qualifying in group play will be in aqua font; matches played as a two-legged playoff will be in italics.
3. Matches played during a tournament will be in lime font: unless indicated, the games will be understood as that having been played in the group stage.
4. Burkina Faso played as Upper Volta prior to 1984
5. Anything in parentheses indicated the current name of the venue.

Zambia vs Ethiopia

• 1974 FIFA World Cup 
• April 1, 1973: Ethiopia 0, Zambia 0
• Game played in Addis Ababa
• April 15, 1973: Zambia 4, Ethiopia 2
• Game played in Lusaka
• 1982 FIFA World Cup 
• May 18, 1980: Ethiopia 0, Zambia 0
• Game played in Addis Ababa
• June 1, 1980: Zambia 4, Ethiopia 0
• Game played in Ndola
• AFCON 1982
• March 10, 1982: Zambia 1, Ethiopia 0
• Game played at March 28 Stadium in Benghazi, Libya
• AFCON 2002 
• July 2, 2000: Ethiopia 1, Zambia 0
• Game played in Addis Ababa
• July 15, 2000: Zambia 2, Ethiopia 0
• Game played in Lusaka

Nigeria vs Burkina Faso

• AFCON 1978
• March 5, 1978: Nigeria 4, Upper Volta 2
• Game played at Accra Sports Stadium in Accra, Ghana
• 1998 FIFA World Cup 
• November 9, 1996: Nigeria 2, Burkina Faso 0
• Game played at Lagos National Stadium in Lagos
• April 27, 1997: Burkina Faso 1, Nigeria 2
• Game played at Stade du 4-Août in Ouagadougou
• 2001 FIFA U-17 World Cup 
• September 27, 2001: Nigeria 1, Burkina Faso 0
• Game played at Larry Gomes Stadium in Arima, Trinidad & Tobago

Zambia vs Nigeria

• AFCON 1974
• October 28, 1973: Zambia 5, Nigeria 1
• Game played in Lusaka
• November 11, 1973: Nigeria 3, Zambia 2
• Game played in Lagos
• AFCON 1978
• March 10, 1978: Zambia 0, Nigeria 0
• Game played at Accra Sports Stadium in Accra, Ghana
• AFCON 1982
• March 13, 1982: Zambia 3, Nigeria 0
• Game played in Benghazi, Libya
• AFCON 1986
• August 10, 1985: Nigeria 0, Zambia 0
• Game played in Lagos
• August 18, 1985: Zambia 1, Nigeria 0
• Game played in Lusaka
• AFCON 1990
• March 12, 1990: Nigeria 2, Zambia 0
• Game played at Stade 19 Mai 1956 in Annaba, Algeria
• AFCON 1994
• April 10, 1994: Nigeria 2, Zambia 1
• Game played in Rades, Tunisia
• AFCON 2002
• January 13, 2001: Nigeria 1, Zambia 0
• Game played in Lagos
• March 24, 2001: Zambia 1, Nigeria 1
• Game played in Chingola
• 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup (Round of 16)
• July 12, 2007: Nigeria 2, Zambia 1
• Game played at Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa, Canada
• AFCON 2010
• January 25, 2010: Nigeria 0, Zambia 0 (Nigeria wins 5-4 on penalty shooutout)
• Game played at Estadio Alto da Chela (Tundavala National Stadium) in Lubango, Angola

Burkina Faso vs Ethiopia

• 2002 FIFA World Cup 
• April 9, 2000: Ethiopia 2, Burkina Faso 1
• Game played at Haile Selassie Stadium in Addis Ababa
• April 23, 2000: Burkina Faso 3, Ethiopia 0
• Game played at Stade du 4-Août in Ouagadougou

Burkina Faso vs Zambia

• AFCON 1978
• March 8, 1978: Zambia 2, Upper Volta 0
• Game played at Accra Sports Stadium in Accra, Ghana

Ethiopia vs Nigeria

• AFCON 1982
• March 7, 1982: Nigeria 3, Ethiopia 0
• Game played at March 28 Stadium in Benghazi, Libya
• AFCON 1994 
• April 11, 1993: Ethiopia 1, Nigeria 0
• Game played in Addis Ababa
• July 7, 1993: Nigeria 6, Ethiopia 0
• Game played in Lagos
• AFCON 2012 
• March 27, 2011: Nigeria 4, Ethiopia 0
• Game played at Abuja Stadium in Abuja
• June 5, 2011: Ethiopia 2, Nigeria 2
• Game played at Addis Ababa Stadium in Addis Ababa

AFCON 2013: Group B

Group B in the 2013 African Cup of Nations will look to have two front runners looking to reach the semifinals once again in this tournament. Mali and Ghana will square off one again, with Ghana looking to win the tournament for the first time since 1982 and their fifth overall, while Mali has the most top four finishes in AFCON to have never won the tournament.

Congo DR are back in the tournament for the first time since 2006, and will look to win the tournament for the first time since 1974. As for Niger, the nation has now reached the AFCON tournament for the second consecutive time, and the home-field advantage proved crucial in reaching this stage.

Here is a list of some notable matches from major tournament the nations in Group B have meet previously. Please note that:

1. The home teams will be listed first unless otherwise indicated.
2. Matches played during qualifying in group play will be in aqua font.
3. Matches played during a tournament will be in lime font: unless indicated, the games will be understood as that having been played in the group stage.
4. Special circumstances will be in red font.
5. Congo DR played as Zaire from 1971 to 1997.

Ghana vs Congo DR

• AFCON 1965
• December 12, 1965: Ghana 5, Congo DR 2
• Game played in Sousse, Tunisia
• AFCON 1968 (the second meeting was the final)
• January 14, 1968: Ghana 2, Congo DR 1
• Game played in Asmara, Ethiopia (the city is now the capital of Eritrea)
• January 21, 1968: Congo DR 1, Ghana 0
• Game played in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• 1974 FIFA World Cup
• August 5, 1973: Ghana 1, Zaire 0
• August 19, 1973: Zaire 4, Ghana 1
• AFCON 1982 
• July 22, 1981: Ghana 2, Zaire 2
• August 2, 1981: Zaire 1, Ghana 2
• AFCON 1996 (quarterfinal)
• January 28, 1996: Ghana 1, Zaire 0
• Game played at EPRU Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa
• 2006 FIFA World Cup (qualifying)
• October 10, 2004: Ghana 0, Congo DR 0
• Game played at the National Sports Council Stadium in Kumasi
• March 27, 2005: Congo DR 1, Ghana 1
• Game played at the Stade de Martyrs in Kinshasa

Mali vs Niger

• AFCON 1972
• December 12, 1970: Niger 0, Mali 1
• Game played in Niamey
• December 27, 1970: Mali 3, Niger 1
• Game played in Bamako

Ghana vs Mali

• AFCON 1976
• April 13, 1975: Mali 3, Ghana 1
• April 27, 1975: Ghana 4, Mali 0
• 2010 FIFA World Cup
• June 7, 2009: Mali 0, Ghana 2 
• Game played at Stade 26 Mars in Bamako
• November 15, 2009: Ghana 2, Mali 2
• Game played at Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi
• AFCON 2012 (the second meeting was the third-place match)
• January 28, 2012: Ghana 2, Mali 0
• Game played at Stade de Franceville in Franceville, Gabon
• February 11, 2012: Mali 2, Ghana 0
• Game played at Nuevo Estadio de Malabo in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea

Niger vs Congo DR

• This will be the first meeting between these two nations ever.

Niger vs Ghana

• AFCON 1970
• August 17, 1969: Ghana 6, Niger 0
• September 21, 1969: Niger 1, Ghana 9
• AFCON 1996
• October 16, 1994: Niger 1, Ghana 5
• April 23, 1995: Ghana 1, Niger 0

Congo DR vs Mali

• AFCON 1972 (semifinal)
• March 2, 1972: Mali 4, Zaire 3 (after extra time)
• Game played at Stade de la Reunification in Yaounde, Cameroon
• AFCON 1994 
• March 28, 1994: Zaire 1, Mali 0
• Game played at Stade El Menzah in Tunis, Tunisia

AFCON 2013: Group A

Group A in the 2013 African Cup of Nations is the only group in which none of the teams reached at least the quarterfinals of AFCON 2012. Angola was the closest, but was eliminated by Sudan on goal difference. Morocco was eliminated after two games against Morocco and Gabon.

South Africa failed to reach last year's AFCON, but will hope to repeat the magic of 1996, when the nation not only hosted the tournament, but won it as well. As for the Cape Verde Islands, it has been a long journey getting here, but now they have reached a major tournament at last.

Here are a live of some of the notable meetings among the teams in Group A include the following. Unless indicated, the matches involve major tournaments the teams have met (home nations are listed first, unless otherwise indicated):

Here is a list of some notable matches from major tournament the nations in Group A have meet previously. Please note that:

1. The home teams will be listed first unless otherwise indicated.
2. Matches played during qualifying in group play will be in aqua font.
3. Matches played during a tournament will be in lime font: unless indicated, the games will be understood as that having been played in the group stage.
4. Special circumstances will be in red font.

South Africa vs Cape Verde Islands

• 2006 FIFA World Cup 
• June 5, 2004: South Africa 2, Cape Verde Islands 1
• Game played at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein 
• June 4, 2005: Cape Verde Islands 1, South Africa 2
• Game played at Estadio da Varzea in Praia

Angola vs Morocco

• This will be the first meeting at a major competition. All of the five meetings prior have been friendly matches.

South Africa vs Angola

• AFCON 1996 
• January 20, 1996: South Africa 1, Angola 0
• Game played at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg
• AFCON 1998 
• February 8, 1998: South Africa 0, Angola 0
• Game played at Stade Municipal in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
• AFCON 2000
• October 3, 1998: South Africa 1, Angola 0
• Game played in Johannesburg
• June 20, 1999: Angola 2, South Africa 2
• Game played in Luanda
• AFCON 2008 
• January 23, 2008: South Africa 1, Angola 1
• Game played at Tamale Stadium in Tamale, Ghana

Morocco vs Cape Verde Islands

• This will be the first meeting between these two nations ever.

Morocco vs South Africa

• AFCON 1998 
• February 22, 1998: South Africa 2, Morocco 1
• Game played at Stade Municipal in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
• AFCON 2002
• January 30, 2002: South Africa 3, Morocco 1
• Game played at Stade Amari Daou in Segou, Mali
• AFCON 2004 (quarterfinal)
• February 4, 2004: South Africa 1, Morocco 1
• Game played at Stade Olympique de Sousse in Sousse, Tunisia

Cape Verde Islands vs Angola

• This will be the first meeting at a major competition. All of the five meetings prior have been friendly matches.