The Total Energies African cup of nations round of 16 beckoning as boys are separated from men

The Afcon 2025 group stages ended on 31st December 2025, and now the focus switches to the round of 16 knockout phase.

 
At the round of 16, Nigeria takes on Mozambique in Fes city on Mon, 5th-01-26. Tunisia plays West African Mali in Casablanca city on Mon, 05-01-26, and Tanzania will square up with hosts Morocco on 3rd-01-26  at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat city. Senegal entertains another CECAFA zone country, Sudan, on 3rd-01-26 in Tangier, South Africa, against Cameroon in Rabat on 4th-01-26, Egypt with Benin in Agadir on 5th-01-26, Algeria and DR Congo 6th -06 26 in Rabat and the reigning champions, Ivory Coast with Burkina Faso on 6th-01-26 in Agadir.
The 24 countries at the 35th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) football championship are down to 16.
This follows the successful completion of the gruelling group stages played at 9 venues in the different 6 cities of Morocco.
It is winner takes it all with the quarter slots at stake, coming closer to the tournament grand climax.
Uganda Cranes were among the 8 countries that were eliminated from the group stages with just a single point fetched from three matches; they managed to score three goals (at least once per game) and conceded seven.
Two losses; 3-1 identical defeats to Tunisia and Nigeria, as well as a draw with fellow CECAFA Zone representatives, Tanzania (1-1).
The round of 16 stage ushers the teams to the quarter-finals (last 8 round), and there is no room for complacency.
Virtually, it is a winner takes it all contest and therefore everything will be thrown to the wire.
Algeria in action. They face a stern test in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
As the different countries return to their respective countries after dismissal performances, there are lingering questions of accountability via performance.
Already, reshuffles have been heard in the Gabon national team (The Panthers), including the disbandment of the entire team.
A lot more developments will definitely come up in the respective camps by the close of the championship.
For now, focus shifts to the round of 16 games starting a double header on Saturday, 3rd January 2026.
Mali faces Tunisia in Casablanca, and on the same day, Senegal will take on Sudan in Tangier.
Burkina Faso players with a defensive wall. They play Ivory Coast in the West African derby
The Round of 16 fixtures
Saturday January 3rd, 2026
Mali Vs Tunisia – Casablanca
Senegal Vs Sudan – Tangier
Sunday January 4th, 2026
Morocco Vs Tanzania – Rabat
South Africa Vs Cameroon – Rabat
Monday January 5th, 2026
Egypt Vs Benin – Agadir
Nigeria Vs Mozambique – Fez
Tuesday January 6th, 2026
Algeria Vs DR Congo – Rabat
Ivory Coast Vs Burkina Faso – Agadir
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