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.

Format

There would be five rounds of play:

Preliminary round

Sierra Leone won 6–3 on agg. and advanced to the first round. Upper Volta won 3–1 on agg. and advanced to the first round.

First round

Algeria won 1–0 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 2–1 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 6–2 on agg. and advanced to the second round. Congo-Brazzaville won 4–2 on agg. and advanced to the second round. Côte d'Ivoire won 3–1 on agg. and advanced to the second round. Egypt won 5–1 on agg. and advanced to the second round. Zambia won 5–0 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.

Second round

Tunisia won 3–1 on agg. and advanced to the third round. Guinea won 4–1 on agg. and advanced to the third round. Ivory Coast won 6–3 on agg. and advanced to the third round. Egypt won 1–0 on agg. and advanced to the third round. Zambia won 4–3 on agg. and advanced to the third round. Zaire withdrew, so Nigeria advanced to the third round automatically.

Third round

Tunisia won 3–2 on agg. and advanced to the Final Round. Nigeria won 6–2 on agg. and advanced to the Final Round. Egypt won 2–0 on agg. and advanced to the Final Round.

Final round

Tunisia qualified.

Qualified teams

Goalscorers