 Unlike other Africa Cup of Nations, the 1959 winner was determined by a final group stage, with the final three teams playing in round-robin format, instead of a knockout stage.This was the first edition to feature a final group stage and one of two, alongside the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations, to promote this format.Each team had defeated Ethiopia but the goal difference was in favor of United Arab Republic, who had beaten Ethiopia 4-0 while Sudan had won 1-0.