The Round of 16 matchups for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco have been officially confirmed, drawing the curtain on an exciting group stage that showcased Africa’s rising football competitiveness. The knockout phase is set to run from Saturday, January 3, to Tuesday, January 6, featuring two matches each day.
Kick-off times are set for 5:00 pm local time (4:00 pm GMT) and 8:00 pm local time (7:00 pm GMT), as teams battle for a spot in the quarter-finals.
The action begins on Saturday with a mouthwatering clash between former champions Senegal and Sudan at the Grand Stade de Tanger. Later in the evening, Mali will take on Tunisia in Casablanca in what promises to be a tight and competitive encounter.
On Sunday, hosts Morocco return to the spotlight against Tanzania at Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat. The second game of the day features a blockbuster showdown between South Africa and Cameroon, with Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos going up against the Indomitable Lions, whom he led to AFCON glory in 2017.
Monday’s fixtures see seven-time winners Egypt face Benin in Agadir, while three-time champions Nigeria clash with Mozambique in Fès in the evening.
The Round of 16 concludes on Tuesday, with Algeria meeting DR Congo and defending champions Côte d’Ivoire taking on Burkina Faso in Marrakech.
Looking ahead, the quarter-finals are scheduled for January 9 and 10, with the grand final set for January 18 in Rabat, promising an exciting conclusion to the tournament.
This Round of 16 sets the stage for an intense knockout phase, where every team will fight to keep their dreams of AFCON glory alive.
