1990 African Cup of Nations
The 1990 African Cup of Nations was the 17th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the football championship of Africa. It was hosted by Algeria. Just like in 1988, the field of eight teams was split into two groups of four. Algeria won its first championship, beating Nigeria in the final 1–0.
Qualified teams
The 8 qualified teams are:| Team | Qualified as | Qualified on | Previous appearances in tournament |
| Hosts | |||
| Holders | |||
| 2nd round winners | |||
| 2nd round winners | |||
| 2nd round winners | |||
| 2nd round winners | |||
| 2nd round winners | |||
| 2nd round winners |
;Notes
Venues
The competition was played in two venues in Algiers and Annaba.| Algiers | |
| Stade du 5 Juillet | |
| Capacity: 85,000 | |
| Annaba | |
| Stade du 19 Mai | |
| Capacity: 56,000 | |
Match officials
;Referees- Laurent Petcha
- Mohamed Hussam El-Dine
- Jean-Fidèle Diramba
- Badou Jasseh
- Idrissa Traoré
- Idrissa Sarr
- Eganaden Cadressen
- Abdellali Naciri
- Badara Sène
- Ally Hafidhi
- Mawukpona Hounnake-Kouassi
- Naji Jouini
Group stage
Tiebreakers
If two or more teams finished level on points after completion of the group matches, the following tie-breakers were used to determine the final ranking:- Greatest total goal difference in the three group matches
- Greatest number of goals scored in the three group matches
- Most points earned in matches against other teams in the tie
- Greatest goal difference in matches against other teams in the tie
- Greatest number of goals scored in matches against other teams in the tie
- Drawing of lots
Group A
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Group B
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