Listed below are the dates and results for the 1978 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for the African zone (CAF). For an overview of the qualification rounds, see the article 1978 FIFA World Cup qualification.
A total of 26 CAF teams entered the competition. The African Zone was allocated 1 place (out of 16) in the final tournament.
There would be five rounds of play:
Sierra Leone won 6âÂÂ3 on agg. and advanced to the first round.
Upper Volta won 3âÂÂ1 on agg. and advanced to the first round.
Algeria won 1âÂÂ0 on agg. and advanced to the second round.
The aggregate score was tied 2–2, but Tunisia won 4–2 on penalties in the second leg to advance to the second round. This was the first penalty shootout in a World Cup match.
Togo won 2âÂÂ1 on agg. and advanced to the second round.
The aggregate score was tied 3–3, and a play-off on neutral ground was played to decide who would advance to the second round.
Guinea advanced to the second round, via the play-off.
Nigeria won 6âÂÂ2 on agg. and advanced to the second round.
Congo-Brazzaville won 4âÂÂ2 on agg. and advanced to the second round.
Côte d'Ivoire won 3âÂÂ1 on agg. and advanced to the second round.
Egypt won 5âÂÂ1 on agg. and advanced to the second round.
Zambia won 5âÂÂ0 on agg. and advanced to the second round.
Central African Republic withdrew, so Zaire advanced to the second round automatically.
Sudan withdrew, so Kenya advanced to the second round automatically.
Tanzania withdrew, so Uganda advanced to the second round automatically.
Tunisia won 3âÂÂ1 on agg. and advanced to the third round.
Guinea won 4âÂÂ1 on agg. and advanced to the third round.
Ivory Coast won 6âÂÂ3 on agg. and advanced to the third round.
Egypt won 1âÂÂ0 on agg. and advanced to the third round.
Zambia won 4âÂÂ3 on agg. and advanced to the third round.
Zaire withdrew, so Nigeria advanced to the third round automatically.
Tunisia won 3âÂÂ2 on agg. and advanced to the Final Round.
Nigeria won 6âÂÂ2 on agg. and advanced to the Final Round.
Egypt won 2âÂÂ0 on agg. and advanced to the Final Round.
Tunisia qualified.