In the final at the Stade 7 November in Radès, Tunisia got off to a good start with a lead 1-0 after four minutes with Mehdi Nafti centered on Francileudo Santos, who scored his fourth goal of the tournament. At the end of the first half, Morocco equalized the score with a goal from Youssouf Hadji on a lift from Youssef Mokhtari. Seven minutes passed in the second half before another Tunisian striker, Ziad Jaziri gave his country the lead. The match ultimately ended 2-1, giving Tunisia its first African Cup of Nations title. Roger Lemerre also became the first coach to win two different continental tournaments. The national team also won the African National Team of the Year award from the Confederation of African Football. The victory gave rise to the team's nickname, the "Eagles of Carthage" and, as a result, the team badge was changed to incorporate an eagle.
No qualification took place in 1957 and 1959 as places were given by invitation only. In 1959 and 1976, there was no final; the article is about the decisive match of the final group stage.