Listed below are the dates and results for the 1978 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for the African zone (CAF).

The African Zone was allocated 1 place (out of 16) in the final tournament.

There would be five rounds of play: Sierra Leone won 6–3 on agg.

The aggregate score was tied 2–2, but Tunisia won 4–2 on penalties in the second leg to advance 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.

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.

Zaire withdrew, so Nigeria advanced to the third round automatically.