View source for 2012 Africa Cup of Nations

{{Infobox International Football Competition
| tourney_name = Africa Cup of Nations
| year = 2012
| other_titles = {{unbulleted list
 | Copa Africana de Naciones 2012
 | Campeonato Africano das Nações de 2012
 | {{nowrap|Coupe d'Afrique des Nations 2012}}
 | AFCON 2012
 | CAN 2012
 }}
| image = 2012 Africa Cup of Nations logo.png
| size = 180px
| caption = 
| country = Gabon
| country2 = Equatorial Guinea
| dates = 21 January – 12 February
| num_teams = 16
| sub-confederations = 5
| venues = 4
| cities = 4
| champion = Zambia
| count = 1
| second = Cote d'Ivoire
| third = Mali
| fourth = Ghana
| matches = 32
| goals = 76
| attendance = {{#expr: 35000 + 17500 + 5000 + 17000 + 38000 + 18000 + 5000 + 10000 + 1500 + 35000 + 2500 + 4000 + 20000 + 35000 + 4000 + 7000 + 44000 + 10000 + 132 + 1500 + 22000 + 4000 + 20000 + 5500 + 200 + 12500 + 30000 + 8000 + 12000 + 32000}}
| top_scorer = {{flagicon|ANG}} Manucho <br> {{flagicon|CIV}} Didier Drogba <br> {{flagicon|GAB}} Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang <br> {{flagicon|MLI}} Cheick Diabaté <br> {{flagicon|MAR}} Houssine Kharja <br> {{flagicon|ZAM}} Christopher Katongo <br> {{flagicon|ZAM}} Emmanuel Mayuka <br> (3 goals each)
| player = {{flagicon|ZAM}} [[Christopher Katongo]]
| fair_play = {{fb|CIV}}
| prevseason = 2010
| nextseason = 2013
}}

The '''2012 Africa Cup of Nations''', also known as the '''Orange Africa Cup of Nations''' for sponsorship reasons, was the 28th edition of the [[Africa Cup of Nations]], the football championship of Africa organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). 
The competition was co-hosted in two countries; it took place in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon from 21 January to 12 February 2012. The bidding process for hosting the tournament ended in September 2006; the continental football federation, CAF, selected Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

The matches were played in four stadiums in four host cities around the two countries, with the final played at the newly built Stade d'Angondjé in Gabon's largest city, Libreville. Fourteen teams were selected for participation via a continental qualification tournament that began in July 2010.

The 2012 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations was one of the most politically charged sports events to take place. Libya (Libyan Civil War) and Tunisia's (Tunisian revolution) national teams qualified for the tournament despite a political backdrop which saw both countries' autocratic rulers ousted from power. Players of the Libyan and Tunisian national teams had fought on the front lines in their respective campaigns. The traditional footballing nations such as reigning champions Egypt (also affected by political events), Cameroon, Nigeria, Algeria and South Africa had failed to qualify. Players from third-placed Mali pleaded for the insurgency in the north of their country to end.

In the first round of the tournament finals, the teams competed in round-robin groups of four teams for points, with the top two teams in each group proceeding. These eight teams advanced to the knockout stage, where three rounds of play decided which teams would participate in the final. Both host nations, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, were eliminated from the competition at the quarter final stage.

In the final, unfancied [[Zambia national football team|Zambia]], the Southern African regional body's 2009 COSAFA Cup runner-up, defeated third-time finalists Côte d'Ivoire after a dramatic penalty shootout in the final,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16999874 | title = Zambia win dramatic shoot-out | date = 12 February 2012 | work = BBC Sport | accessdate = 13 February 2012}}</ref> giving Zambia their first continental title, becoming the fourteenth nation to win the tournament.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/14/sports/soccer/14iht-soccer14.html | title = Zambia Takes a Modest and Emotional Path to Victory | date = 13 February 2012 | work = New York Times | accessdate = 13 February 2012}}</ref>
The Zambian team dedicated their win to the members of the national team who died [[1993 Zambia national football team air disaster|in a plane crash]] near the final's venue in Libreville in 1993.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2100474/Herve-Renard-dedicates-Zambia-win-1993-squad.html | title = Destiny! Renard dedicates Zambia glory to 1993 squad who perished in plane crash | date = 13 February 2012 | work = Daily Mail | accessdate = 13 February 2012}}</ref>

==Bids shortlist==
The five countries who were shortlisted to host the tournament including one joint bid:
* Angola
* Gabon /  Equatorial Guinea
* Libya
* Nigeria (reserve hosts)
Gabon and Equatorial Guinea won the right to host the tournament after defeating a Nigerian bid along with two other bid winning nations, Angola and Libya. Bids from Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Senegal were rejected. For the first time in CAF history, the hosts of three successive tournaments were chosen at the same time; Angola was chosen to host in 2010, Gabon/Equatorial Guinea were chosen as hosts for the 2012 cup and Libya was originally scheduled to host the [[2013 Africa Cup of Nations|2013 edition]].<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.supersport.com/football/africa-cup-of-nations/news/110613/Caf_take_Afcon_away_from_Libya | title = Caf take Afcon away from Libya | publisher = Super Sport | date = 13 June 2011 | accessdate = 24 January 2012}}</ref> In light of the [[2011 Libyan Civil War|Libyan Civil War]], Libya and South Africa then traded places, with the former arranging in 2017 and the latter in 2013 instead.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14664385.stm | title = South Africa 'replace' Libya as 2013 Nations Cup hosts | work = BBC Sport | publisher = British Broadcasting Corporation | date = 25 August 2011 | accessdate = 28 January 2012}}</ref>

==Qualification==
{{Main|2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification}}
The qualification process involves ten groups of four, one of which was reduced to a group of three after the withdrawal of [[Mauritania national football team|Mauritania]], and one group of five. The top team from each group goes through, as well as the second placed team from the group of five. The two best second place teams also qualify. At the end of the qualification process, fourteen teams would have qualified, as well as the two host nations. The first qualifiers were held on 1 July 2010.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/8613171.stm | title = African International Competitions | work = BBC Sport | publisher = British Broadcasting Corporation | accessdate = 28 January 2012}}</ref>

===Qualified teams===
[[File:African Cup of Nations 2012.png|thumb|300px|A map of Africa showing the qualified nations, highlighted by stage reached.]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! width=12.5% | Country
! width=12.5% | Qualified as
! width=12.5% | Qualification date
! width=12.5% | Appearance in finals
! width=12.5% | Previous best performance
! width=12.5% | Regional body
! width=12.5% | FIFA ranking<sup>'''[[#1|1]]'''</sup>
! width=12.5% | Continental ranking<sup>'''[[#1|1]]'''</sup>
|-
| {{fb|ANG}}
| <span style="display:none">JW</span>[[2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification#Group J|Group J]] Winner
| <span style="display:none">04</span>8 October 2011
| align=center | <span style="display:none">06</span>6th
| <span style="display:none">40</span>Quarterfinals ([[2008 Africa Cup of Nations|2008]], [[2010 Africa Cup of Nations|2010]])
| [[Council of Southern Africa Football Associations|COSAFA]]
| align=center | 85
| align=center | 19
|-
| {{fb|BOT}}
| <span style="display:none">KW</span>[[2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification#Group K|Group K]] Winner
| <span style="display:none">01</span>26 March 2011
| align=center | <span style="display:none">01</span>1st
| <span style="display:none">20</span>none
| [[Council of Southern Africa Football Associations|COSAFA]]
| align=center | 94
| align=center | 21
|-
| {{fb|BFA}}
| <span style="display:none">FW</span>[[2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification#Group F|Group F]] Winner
| <span style="display:none">03</span>3 September 2011
| align=center | <span style="display:none">08</span>8th
| <span style="display:none">50</span>Fourth place ([[1998 Africa Cup of Nations|1998]])
| [[West African Football Union|WAFU]]
| align=center | 66
| align=center | 14
|-
| {{fb|CIV}}
| <span style="display:none">HW</span>[[2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification#Group H|Group H]] Winner
| <span style="display:none">02</span>5 June 2011
| align=center | <span style="display:none">19</span>19th
| <span style="display:none">80</span>'''Winner''' ([[1992 Africa Cup of Nations|1992]])
| [[West African Football Union|WAFU]]
| align=center | 18
| align=center | 1
|-
| {{fb|EQG}}
| <span style="display:none">AA</span>Co-host
| <span style="display:none">00</span>29 July 2007
| align=center | <span style="display:none">01</span>1st
| <span style="display:none">20</span>none
| [[Central African Football Federations' Union|UNIFFAC]]
| align=center | 151
| align=center | 41
|-
| {{fb|GAB}}
| <span style="display:none">AA</span>Co-host
| <span style="display:none">00</span>29 July 2007
| align=center | <span style="display:none">05</span>5th
| <span style="display:none">30</span>Quarterfinals ([[1996 Africa Cup of Nations|1996]])
| [[Central African Football Federations' Union|UNIFFAC]]
| align=center | 91
| align=center | 20
|-
| {{fb|GHA}}
| <span style="display:none">IW</span>[[2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification#Group I|Group I]] Winner
| <span style="display:none">04</span>8 October 2011
| align=center | <span style="display:none">18</span>18th
| <span style="display:none">90</span>'''Winner''' ([[1963 Africa Cup of Nations|1963]], [[1965 Africa Cup of Nations|1965]], [[1978 Africa Cup of Nations|1978]], [[1982 Africa Cup of Nations|1982]])
| [[West African Football Union|WAFU]]
| align=center | 26
| align=center | 2
|-
| {{fb|GUI}}
| <span style="display:none">BW</span>[[2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification#Group B|Group B]] Winner
| <span style="display:none">04</span>8 October 2011
| align=center | <span style="display:none">10</span>10th
| <span style="display:none">60</span>Second place ([[1976 Africa Cup of Nations|1976]])
| [[West African Football Union|WAFU]]
| align=center | 79
| align=center | 17
|-
| {{fb|LBY}}
| <span style="display:none">RU</span> [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification#Ranking of group runners-up|Top Two]] Runner-Up
| <span style="display:none">04</span>8 October 2011
| align=center | <span style="display:none">03</span>3rd
| <span style="display:none">60</span>Second place ([[1982 Africa Cup of Nations|1982]])
| [[Union of North African Football Federations|UNAF]]
| align=center | 63
| align=center | 13
|-
| {{fb|MLI}}
| <span style="display:none">AW</span>[[2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification#Group A|Group A]] Winner
| <span style="display:none">04</span>8 October 2011
| align=center | <span style="display:none">07</span>7th
| <span style="display:none">60</span>Second place ([[1972 Africa Cup of Nations|1972]])
| [[West African Football Union|WAFU]]
| align=center | 69
| align=center | 15
|-
| {{fb|MAR}}
| <span style="display:none">DW</span>[[2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification#Group D|Group D]] Winner
| <span style="display:none">05</span>9 October 2011
| align=center | <span style="display:none">14</span>14th
| <span style="display:none">80</span>'''Winner''' ([[1976 Africa Cup of Nations|1976]])
| [[Union of North African Football Federations|UNAF]]
| align=center | 61
| align=center | 12
|-
| {{fb|NIG}}
| <span style="display:none">GW</span>[[2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification#Group G|Group G]] Winner
| <span style="display:none">04</span>8 October 2011
| align=center | <span style="display:none">01</span>1st
| <span style="display:none">20</span>none
| [[West African Football Union|WAFU]]
| align=center | 98
| align=center | 22
|-
| {{fb|SEN}}
| <span style="display:none">EW</span>[[2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification#Group E|Group E]] Winner
| <span style="display:none">03</span>3 September 2011
| align=center | <span style="display:none">12</span>12th
| <span style="display:none">60</span>Second place ([[2002 Africa Cup of Nations|2002]])
| [[West African Football Union|WAFU]]
| align=center | 43
| align=center | 5
|-
| {{fb|SUD}}
| <span style="display:none">RU</span> [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification#Ranking of group runners-up|Top Two]] Runner-Up
| <span style="display:none">05</span>9 October 2011
| align=center | <span style="display:none">08</span>8th
| <span style="display:none">80</span>'''Winner''' ([[1970 Africa Cup of Nations|1970]])
| [[Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations|CECAFA]]
| align=center | 120
| align=center | 30
|-
| {{fb|TUN}}
| <span style="display:none">KX</span>[[2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification#Group K|Group K]] Runner-up
| <span style="display:none">04</span>8 October 2011
| align=center | <span style="display:none">15</span>15th
| <span style="display:none">80</span>'''Winner''' ([[2004 Africa Cup of Nations|2004]])
| [[Union of North African Football Federations|UNAF]]
| align=center | 59
| align=center | 10
|-
| {{fb|ZAM}}
| <span style="display:none">CW</span>[[2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification#Group C|Group C]] Winner
| <span style="display:none">04</span>8 October 2011
| align=center | <span style="display:none">15</span>15th
| <span style="display:none">70</span>Second place ([[1974 Africa Cup of Nations|1974]], [[1994 Africa Cup of Nations|1994]])
| [[Council of Southern Africa Football Associations|COSAFA]]
| align=center | 71
| align=center | 16
|}

:<div id="1"><sup>1</sup> [[FIFA World Rankings]], release of 18 January 2012.</div>
==Controversies==
===Togo===
Togo were initially banned from the 2012 and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments by CAF after they withdrew from the 2010 tournament following an attack on their team bus.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/8450529.stm | title = Togo officially disqualified from Africa Cup of Nations | date = 11 January 2010 | work = BBC Sport | publisher = British Broadcasting Corporation | accessdate = 14 May 2010}}</ref> Togo appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with FIFA president Sepp Blatter stepping in to mediate. The ban was subsequently lifted with immediate effect on 14 May 2010, after a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee. Togo were therefore free to play in the 2012 and 2013 qualifiers.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/8682511.stm | title = Togo's African Cup ban is lifted | date = 14 May 2010 | work = BBC Sport|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|accessdate=14 May 2010 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160112085019/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/8682511.stm | archivedate=12 January 2016<!--DASHBot--> | deadurl = no}}</ref>

===Nigeria===
On 30 June 2010, after Nigeria's exit from the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan punished the team for a poor campaign by imposing a two-year ban from international competition.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/fifaworldcup/nigeria/story/2010/06/30/sp-nigeria-suspended.html | title = Nigeria's President Suspends Soccer Team | date = 30 June 2010 | work = CBC Sports | publisher = Canadian Broadcasting Corporation | accessdate = 8 July 2010 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100703042806/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/fifaworldcup/nigeria/story/2010/06/30/sp-nigeria-suspended.html | archivedate = 3 July 2010 <!--DASHBot--> | deadurl = no}}</ref> This would have resulted in the Nigerians missing out on both the 2012 qualifying phase and the 2012 African Cup of Nations. However, on 5 July, the Nigerian government dropped the ban after FIFA threatened to impose harsher international sanctions as a result of the government interference.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/5355645/ce/us/nigeria-president-goodluck-jonathan-dropping-plan-suspend-tea?cc=5901&ver=us | title = Nigeria backs down on soccer ban | date = 6 July 2010 | work = ESPN Soccernet | accessdate = 8 June 2008
}}</ref> Nigeria competed in qualifying for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations as scheduled but failed to qualify.



==Venues==
The opening match, one semi-final and the third place match were held in Equatorial Guinea while the other semi-final and the final were held in Gabon.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.gaboneco.com/show_article.php?IDActu=16437 | title = Gabon : Libreville et Malabo s'accordent pour la CAN 2012 | work = Gaboneco | language = French | trans_title = Gabon: Libreville and Malabo agree for the 2012 ACN | date = 5 January 2010 | accessdate = 13 January 2010 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100107172540/http://www.gaboneco.com/show_article.php?IDActu=16437 | archivedate = 7 January 2010 <!--DASHBot--> | deadurl = no}}</ref>

<center>
{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center"
|-
! Bata, Equatorial Guinea
| rowspan="8" | {{Image label begin|image=Location Map Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.png|width=350|float=center}}
{{Image label small|x=0.085|y=0.07|scale=350|text=<center>[[File:Blue pog.svg|8px]]</center> <big>'''Malabo'''</big>}}
{{Image label small|x=0.23|y=0.41|scale=350|text=<center>[[File:Blue pog.svg|8px]]</center> <big>'''Bata'''</big>}}
{{Image label small|x=0.185|y=0.57|scale=350|text=<center>[[File:Green pog.svg|8px]]</center> <big>'''Libreville'''</big>}}
{{Image label small|x=0.79|y=0.88|scale=350|text=<center>[[File:Green pog.svg|8px]]</center> <big>'''Franceville'''</big>}}
{{Image label end}}
! Libreville, Gabon
|-
| Estadio de Bata <br><small>(pictured before its expansion)</small>|| Stade d'Angondjé
|-
| Capacity: '''37,500''' || Capacity: '''40,000'''
|-
| [[File:Bata Stadium Equatorial Guinea.JPG|180px]] || [[File:No image available.svg|120px]]
|-
! Malabo, Equatorial Guinea || Franceville, Gabon
|-
| Nuevo Estadio de Malabo || Stade de Franceville
|-
| Capacity: '''15,250''' || Capacity: '''35,000'''
|-
| [[File:Estadio de Malabo Equatorial Guinea.JPG|180px]] || 
|}
</center>
==Draw==
The draw for the final tournament took place on 29 October 2011 at the Sipopo Conference Palace in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.<ref>{{cite news | title = Official Draw for the Orange CAN 2012 fixed for October 29, 2011 | url = http://www.cafonline.com/competition/african-cup-of-nations_2012/news/10250-official-draw-for-the-orange-can-2012-fixed-for-october-29-2011.html | work = CAF Online | publisher = Confederation of African Football | date = 26 June 2011}}</ref> The draw ceremony was attended by the two presidents from the host countries, President Ali Bongo of Gabon and President [[Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo|Teodoro Obiang Nguema]] of Equatorial Guinea.<ref>{{cite news | title = 2012 Africa Cup of Nations draw conducted | url = http://www.cafonline.com/competition/african-cup-of-nations_2012/news/11854-orange-can-2012-final-fixtures-released-today.html | work = CAF Online | publisher = Confederation of African Football | date = 29 October 2011}}</ref> The draw saw the 16 qualified teams being pitted into four groups of four teams each. The two top teams from each group will qualify for the quarter finals with the winners progressing to the semi finals and final eventually.

The two hosts were automatically seeded into pot 1. The other 14 qualified teams were ranked based on their performances during the last three Africa Cup of Nations, i.e. the 2006, 2008 and 2010 editions.<ref>{{cite news | title = Orange CAN 2012 Official Draw 29 Oct 2011 – Procedures | url = http://www.cafonline.com/userfiles/file/Comp/Orange%20CAN%202012%20Official%20Draw%2029_Oct%202011%20-%20Procedures%20(English)%5B1%5D.pdf | work = CAF Online | publisher = Confederation of African Football | date = 12 October 2011}}</ref> For each of the last three African Cup of Nations final tournaments, the following system of points is adopted for the qualified countries:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Classification
! Points awarded
|- align=center
! Winner
| 7
|- align=center
! Runner-up
| 5
|- align=center
! Losing semi-finalists
| 3
|- align=center
! Losing quarter-finalists
| 2
|- align=center
! Eliminated in 1st round
| 1
|}

Moreover, a weighted coefficient on points was given to each of the last three editions of the Africa Cup of Nations as follows:
* 2010 edition: points to be multiplied by 3
* 2008 edition: points to be multiplied by 2
* 2006 edition: points to be multiplied by 1

The teams were then divided into four pots based on the ranking. Each group contained one team from each pot.

{| class=wikitable
! width=20% | Pot 1
! width=20% | Pot 2
! width=20% | Pot 3
! width=20% | Pot 4
|- valign=top
|
{{fb|EQG}} <small>(co-hosts; assigned to A1)</small> <br>
{{fb|GAB}} <small>(co-hosts; assigned to C1)</small> <br>
{{fb|GHA}} <small>(22 pts)</small> <br>
{{fb|CIV}} <small>(17 pts)</small>
|
{{fb|ANG}} <small>(11 pts)</small> <br>
{{fb|TUN}} <small>(9 pts)</small> <br>
{{fb|ZAM}} <small>(9 pts)</small> <br>
{{fb|GUI}} <small>(6 pts)</small>
|
{{fb|MLI}} <small>(5 pts)</small> <br>
{{fb|SEN}} <small>(5 pts)</small> <br>
{{fb|MAR}} <small>(3 pts)</small> <br>
{{fb|BFA}} <small>(3 pts)</small>
|
{{fb|SUD}} <small>(2 pts)</small> <br>
{{fb|LBY}} <small>(1 pt)</small> <br>
{{fb|BOT}} <small>(0 pts)</small> <br>
{{fb|NIG}} <small>(0 pts)</small>
|}

==Match officials==
The following referees were chosen for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.cafonline.com/competition/african-cup-of-nations_2012/referees | title = Referees | work = CAF Online | publisher = Confederation of African Football | accessdate = 4 January 2012}}</ref>

{| class=wikitable
! width=44% | Referees
! width=44% | Linesmen
|- valign=top
|
Mohamed Benouza <br>
Djamel Haimoudi <br>
Néant Alioum<br>
Noumandiez Doue <br>
Gehad Grisha<br>
Eric Otogo-Castane <br>
Bakary Gassama <br>
Hamada Nampiandraza <br>
Koman Coulibaly <br>
Ali Lemghaifry <br>
Rajindraparsad Seechurn <br>
Bouchaïb El Ahrach <br>
Badara Diatta <br>
Eddy Maillet <br>
Daniel Bennett <br>
Khalid Abdel Rahman <br>
Slim Jedidi <br>
Janny Sikazwe
|
Albdelhak Etchiali <br>
Jean-Claude Birumushahu <br>
Evarist Menkouande <br>
Yanoussa Moussa <br>
Richard Bouende-Malonga <br>
Songuifolo Yeo <br>
Angesom Ogbamariam <br>
Theophile Vinga <br>
Aboubacar Doumbouya <br>
Marwa Range <br>
Moffat Champiti <br>
Balla Diarra <br>
Balkrishna Bootun <br>
Redouane Achik <br>
David Shaanika <br>
Peter Edibe <br>
Felicien Kabanda <br>
Djibril Camara <br>
Jason Damoo <br>
Zakhele Siwela <br>
Bechir Hassani
|}

==Squads==
{{main|2012 Africa Cup of Nations squads}}

Each team's squad for the tournament consisted of 23 players; only players in these squads were eligible to take part in the tournament. Each participating national association had to submit their squad by 11 January 2012 (midnight CET). Replacement of seriously injured players was permitted until 24 hours before the team in question's first match of the tournament.<ref name="regulations">{{cite web | title = Regulations of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations Gabon-Equatorial Guinea 2012 | url = http://www.cafonline.com/userfiles/file/Regulation/Reglements%20CAN%202012%20English.pdf | work = CAF Online | publisher = Confederation of African Football | accessdate = 21 January 2012}}</ref>

==Group stage==
Groups A and B took place in Equatorial Guinea, while Groups C and D were held in Gabon.<ref>{{cite web | title = Fixtures of the 28th Orange -Africa Cup of Nations, CAN 2012 Equatorial Guinea –Gabon | url = http://www.cafonline.com/userfiles/file/Comp/CAN2012_Fixtures_Final_Tournament.pdf | work = CAF Online | publisher = Confederation of African Football | date = 29 October 2011}}</ref> Notably, there was not a single goalless draw during the group stage.

===Tie-breaking criteria===
If two or more teams end the group stage with the same number of points, their ranking is determined by the following criteria:<ref name="regulations"/>
# points earned in the matches between the teams concerned;
# goal difference in the matches between the teams concerned;
# number of goals scored in the matches between the teams concerned;
# goal difference in all group matches;
# number of goals scored in all group matches;
# fair play points system taking into account the number of yellow and red cards;
# drawing of lots by the organizing committee.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Key to colours in group tables
|- bgcolor=ccffcc
| Top two placed teams advanced to the quarterfinals
|}

''All times are West Africa Time (UTC+1).''

===Group A===
{{main|2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group A}}
{{:2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group A}}

{| style="width:100%" cellspacing="1"
|-
! width=25% |
! width=10% |
! width=25% |
|-
| 21 January 2012
|- style=font-size:90%
| align=right | {{fb-rt|EQG}} || align=center | [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group A#Equatorial Guinea vs. Libya|1–0]] || {{fb|LBY}} || [[Estadio de Bata]], [[Bata, Equatorial Guinea|Bata]]
|- style=font-size:90%
| align=right | {{fb-rt|SEN}} || align=center | [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group A#Senegal vs. Zambia|1–2]] || {{fb|ZAM}} || [[Estadio de Bata]], [[Bata, Equatorial Guinea|Bata]]
|-
| 25 January 2012
|- style=font-size:90%
| align=right | {{fb-rt|LBY}} || align=center | [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group A#Libya vs. Zambia|2–2]] || {{fb|ZAM}} || [[Estadio de Bata]], [[Bata, Equatorial Guinea|Bata]]
|- style=font-size:90%
| align=right | {{fb-rt|EQG}} || align=center | [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group A#Equatorial Guinea vs. Senegal|2–1]] || {{fb|SEN}} || [[Estadio de Bata]], [[Bata, Equatorial Guinea|Bata]]
|-
| 29 January 2012
|- style=font-size:90%
| align=right | {{fb-rt|EQG}} || align=center | [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group A#Equatorial Guinea vs. Zambia|0–1]] || {{fb|ZAM}} || [[Nuevo Estadio de Malabo]], [[Malabo]]
|- style=font-size:90%
| align=right | {{fb-rt|LBY}} || align=center | [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group A#Libya vs. Senegal|2–1]] || {{fb|SEN}} || [[Estadio de Bata]], [[Bata, Equatorial Guinea|Bata]]
|}

===Group B===
{{main|2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group B}}
{{:2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group B}}

{| style="width:100%" cellspacing="1"
|-
! width=25% |
! width=10% |
! width=25% |
|-
|22 January 2012
|- style=font-size:90%
| align=right | {{fb-rt|CIV}} || align=center | [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group B#Côte d'Ivoire vs. Sudan|1–0]] || {{fb|SUD}} || [[Nuevo Estadio de Malabo]], [[Malabo]]
|- style=font-size:90%
| align=right | {{fb-rt|BFA}} || align=center | [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group C#Burkina Faso vs. Angola|1–2]] || {{fb|ANG}} || [[Nuevo Estadio de Malabo]], [[Malabo]]
|-
| 26 January 2012
|- style=font-size:90%
| align=right | {{fb-rt|SUD}} || align=center | [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group B#Sudan vs. Angola|2–2]] || {{fb|ANG}} || [[Nuevo Estadio de Malabo]], [[Malabo]]
|- style=font-size:90%
| align=right | {{fb-rt|CIV}} || align=center | [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group B#Côte d'Ivoire vs. Burkina Faso|2–0]] || {{fb|BFA}} || [[Nuevo Estadio de Malabo]], [[Malabo]]
|-
|30 January 2012
|- style=font-size:90%
| align=right | {{fb-rt|SUD}} || align=center | [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group B#Sudan vs. Burkina Faso|2–1]] || {{fb|BFA}} || [[Estadio de Bata]], [[Bata, Equatorial Guinea|Bata]]
|- style=font-size:90%
| align=right | {{fb-rt|CIV}} || align=center | [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group B#Côte d'Ivoire vs. Angola|2–0]] || {{fb|ANG}} || [[Nuevo Estadio de Malabo]], [[Malabo]]
|}

===Group C===
{{main|2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group C}}
{{:2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group C}}

{| style="width:100%" cellspacing="1"
|-
! width=25% |
! width=10% |
! width=25% |
|-
| 23 January 2012
|- style=font-size:90%
| align=right | {{fb-rt|GAB}} || align=center | [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group C#Gabon vs. Niger|2–0]] || {{fb|NIG}} || [[Stade d'Angondjé]], [[Libreville]]
|- style=font-size:90%
| align=right | {{fb-rt|MAR}} || align=center | [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group C#Morocco vs. Tunisia|1–2]] || {{fb|TUN}} || [[Stade d'Angondjé]], [[Libreville]]
|-
| 27 January 2012
|- style=font-size:90%
| align=right | {{fb-rt|NIG}} || align=center | [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group C#Niger vs. Tunisia|1–2]] || {{fb|TUN}} || [[Stade d'Angondjé]], [[Libreville]]
|- style=font-size:90%
| align=right | {{fb-rt|GAB}} || align=center | [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group C#Gabon vs. Morocco|3–2]] || {{fb|MAR}} || [[Stade d'Angondjé]], [[Libreville]]
|-
| 31 January 2012
|- style=font-size:90%
| align=right | {{fb-rt|GAB}} || align=center | [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group C#Gabon vs. Tunisia|1–0]] || {{fb|TUN}} || [[Stade de Franceville]], [[Franceville]]
|- style=font-size:90%
| align=right | {{fb-rt|NIG}} || align=center | [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group C#Niger vs. Morocco|0–1]] || {{fb|MAR}} || [[Stade d'Angondjé]], [[Libreville]]
|}

===Group D===
{{main|2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group D}}
{{:2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group D}}

{| style="width:100%" cellspacing="1"
|-
! width=25% |
! width=10% |
! width=25% |
|-
| 24 January 2012
|- style=font-size:90%
| align=right | {{fb-rt|GHA}} || align=center | [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group D#Ghana vs. Botswana|1–0]] || {{fb|BOT}} || [[Stade de Franceville]], [[Franceville]]
|- style=font-size:90%
| align=right | {{fb-rt|MLI}} || align=center | [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group D#Mali vs. Guinea|1–0]] || {{fb|GUI}} || [[Stade de Franceville]], [[Franceville]]
|-
| 28 January 2012
|- style=font-size:90%
| align=right | {{fb-rt|BOT}} || align=center | [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group D#Botswana vs. Guinea|1–6]] || {{fb|GUI}} || [[Stade de Franceville]], [[Franceville]]
|- style=font-size:90%
| align=right | {{fb-rt|GHA}} || align=center | [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group D#Ghana vs. Mali|2–0]] || {{fb|MLI}} || [[Stade de Franceville]], [[Franceville]]
|-
| 1 February 2012
|- style=font-size:90%
| align=right | {{fb-rt|BOT}} || align=center | [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group D#Botswana vs. Mali|1–2]] || {{fb|MLI}} || [[Stade d'Angondjé]], [[Libreville]]
|- style=font-size:90%
| align=right | {{fb-rt|GHA}} || align=center | [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group D#Ghana vs. Guinea|1–1]] || {{fb|GUI}} || [[Stade de Franceville]], [[Franceville]]
|}