The knockout phase of the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations has been locked in, serving up a compelling mix of continental giants and ambitious newcomers as the tournament enters its decisive stage in Morocco.
Tournament hosts Morocco will carry home expectations into their Round of 16 clash against Tanzania, a side making its first-ever appearance at the knockout stage.
The Taifa Stars squeezed through as one of the four best third-placed teams after collecting two points in Group C from draws with Uganda and Tunisia.
Still searching for a first victory in 12 AFCON matches, Tanzania will be hoping to rewrite history when they face the Atlas Lions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Defending champions Ivory Coast face a stern test against Burkina Faso, who finished runners-up behind Algeria in Group E.
Elsewhere, seven-time champions Egypt take on surprise package Benin in Agadir, while Algeria, back in the knockout rounds for the first time since lifting the trophy in 2019 will square off with Sebastien Desabre’s DR Congo.
Four-time winners Tunisia will battle Mali in Casablanca in what promises to be a tightly contested North versus West Africa encounter. In Tangier, Senegal meet Sudan, one of the tournament’s most impressive overachievers so far.
Rabat will also host a heavyweight showdown as 1996 champions South Africa come up against five-time winners Cameroon, while Nigeria’s Super Eagles lock horns with Mozambique in Fez, aiming to maintain their title ambitions.
The Round of 16 fixtures will be spread across four consecutive days, starting Saturday, January 3, 2026, as Africa’s finest chase a place in the quarter-finals.
AFCON 2025 Round of 16 Fixtures
Saturday, January 3, 2026
- Mali vs Tunisia – Casablanca
- Senegal vs Sudan – Tangier
Sunday, January 4, 2026
- Morocco vs Tanzania – Rabat
- South Africa vs Cameroon – Rabat
Monday, January 5, 2026
- Egypt vs Benin – Agadir
- Nigeria vs Mozambique – Fez
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
- Algeria vs DR Congo – Rabat
- Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso – Agadir
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