The group stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations was incredibly exciting, with qualification for the Round of 16 remaining undecided until the very last moments. This resulted in fierce competition between the teams over the three rounds, leading to some truly thrilling matches.
There were some unforgettable matches in the group stage of this edition, most notably Tunisia’s dramatic comeback against Nigeria, Egypt’s resilience against South Africa, and the thrilling encounter between Ivory Coast and Cameroon, which will undoubtedly remain etched in memory for a long time.
For the fourth consecutive year, the Africa Cup of Nations will feature 24 teams. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Round of 16, along with the four best third-placed teams, ensuring that the hopes of most teams remain alive until the final group stage match.
This report details the Round of 16 fixtures for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the path to the final.
Round of 16 Fixtures for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
Senegal vs. Sudan – Saturday, January 3, 2026 (7:00 PM Mecca Time)
Mali vs. Tunisia – Saturday, January 3, 2026 (10:00 PM Mecca Time)
Morocco vs. Tanzania – Sunday, January 4, 2026 (7:00 PM Mecca Time)
South Africa vs. Cameroon – Sunday, January 4, 2026 (7:00 PM Mecca Time)
Egypt vs. Benin – Monday, January 5, 2026 (7:00 PM Mecca Time)
Nigeria vs. Mozambique – Monday, January 5, 2026 (10:00 PM Mecca Time)
Algeria vs. DR Congo – Tuesday, January 6, 2026 (7:00 PM Mecca Time)
Ivory Coast vs. Burkina Faso – Tuesday, January 6 2025 (22:00 Mecca Time)
The road to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final
