The 2002 African Cup of Nations was the 23rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the association football championship of Africa (CAF). It was hosted by Mali. Just like in 2000, the field of sixteen teams was split into four groups of four. Cameroon won its fourth championship (repeating as champions), beating Senegal on penalty kicks 3–2 after a goalless draw.

Host selection

Bids:

  • Algeria
  • Botswana
  • Egypt
  • Ethiopia
  • Mali <small>(selected as hosts)</small>

The organization of the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations was awarded to Mali on 5 February 1998 by the CAF Executive Committee meeting in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso during the 1998 African Cup of Nations. Voters had a choice between five countries: Algeria, Botswana, Egypt, Ethiopia and Mali.

This was the first time that Mali had hosted the competition.

Qualified teams

thumb|300px|Participating countries

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left"

! Team

! Qualified as

! Qualified on

! Previous appearances in tournament

|-

| || Hosts || || (1972, 1994)

|-

| || Holders || || (1970, 1972, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1996, 1998,<br>2000)

|-

| || Group 2 winners || || (1996)

|-

| || Group 3 winners || || (1972, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1986, 1988, 1992, 1998, 2000)

|-

| || Group 1 winners || || (1963, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994,<br>2000)

|-

| || Group 4 winners || || (1968, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1996, 1998,<br>2000)

|-

| || Group 4 runners-up || || (1978, 1996, 1998, 2000)

|-

| || Group 6 runners-up || || (1965, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1988, 1992, 1994, 1996,<br>1998, 2000)

|-

| || Group 7 winners || || (1957, 1959, 1962, 1963, 1970, 1974, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1986,<br>1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000)

|-

| || Group 6 winners || || (1963, 1965, 1968, 1970, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1992, 1994,<br>1996, 1998, 2000)

|-

| || Group 7 runners-up || || (1965, 1968, 1970, 1974, 1980, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992,<br>1994, 1996, 1998, 2000)

|-

| || Group 5 winners || || (1965, 1968, 1986, 1990, 1992, 1994, 2000)

|-

| || Group 2 runners-up || || (1996, 1998, 2000)

|-

| || Group 5 winners || || (1972, 1984, 1998, 2000)

|-

| || Group 3 runners-up || || (1962, 1963, 1965, 1978, 1982, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000)

|-

| || Group 1 runners-up || || (1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000)

|}

;Notes

Squads

Venues

<div style="text-align: center;">

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="500px"

|-

! colspan=3 rowspan=8 text-align="center" |

! Bamako

|-

| Stade du 26 Mars

|-

| Capacity: 55,000

|-

| 180px

|-

! Bamako

|-

| Stade Modibo Keïta

|-

| Capacity: 25,000

|-

| 180px

|-

! Kayes

! Mopti

! Ségou

! Sikasso

|-

| Stade Abdoulaye Makoro Cissoko

| Stade Barema Bocoum

| Stade Amary Daou

| Stade Babemba Traoré

|-

| Capacity: 15,000

| Capacity: 15,000

| Capacity: 15,000

| Capacity: 15,000

|-

| 180px

| 180px

| 180px

| 180px

|}

</div>

Group stage

Group A

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Group B

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Group C

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Group D

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Knockout stage

Quarter-finals

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Semi-finals

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Third place match

Final

Goalscorers

CAF Team of the Tournament

Goalkeeper

  • Tony Sylva

Defenders

  • Taribo West
  • Rigobert Song
  • Hany Ramzy

Midfielders

  • Seydou Keita
  • Rafik Saifi
  • Patrick Mboma
  • Ifeanyi Udeze
  • Sibusiso Zuma

Forwards

  • Julius Aghahowa
  • El Hadji Diouf
  • Details at RSSSF