Football fever has intensified as the Round of 16 matches for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 are now confirmed, setting the stage for high-stakes clashes across North Africa 🇲🇦. The group phase delivered thrilling action and now the continental powerhouse nations will face sudden-death tests in pursuit of the quarter-finals.
The knockout programme runs from Saturday, 3 January to Tuesday, 6 January 2026, with two fixtures scheduled each day first at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT) and then at 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT).
Hosts Morocco kick off Sunday’s schedule when they take on Tanzania at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.
The Atlas Lions ended the group stage comfortably atop Group A, and will have a vociferous home crowd in their quest for an elusive second AFCON title.
Tanzania, one of the four best third-placed qualifiers, will aim to continue their historic run.
Later the same evening, South Africa go head-to-head with Cameroon at Rabat’s Al Medina Stadium.
This promises to be a fascinating tactical duel especially with South African coach Hugo Broos facing the Indomitable Lions, a squad he once led to continental glory.
Senegal, the 2021 champions, will open the knockout phase on Saturday in Tangier against Sudan, who have defied expectations by advancing from their group as one of the best third-placed teams.
Olympics In the night-cap on Saturday, Mali will battle Tunisia in Casablanca with both sides eager to shift momentum after steady group campaigns.
Egypt, Africa’s most successful nation with seven AFCON trophies, take to the pitch on Monday at the Grand Stade de Agadir against Benin.
Egypt have not lifted the title in over a decade and will be under pressure to rediscover their championship form.
Meanwhile, Nigeria, one of the standout teams in the group stage, face Mozambique in Fès as they strive to improve on their runners-up finish from the 2023 tournament.
The final day of the Round of 16 on Tuesday sees Algeria take on the Democratic Republic of Congo in Rabat, while defending champions Côte d’Ivoire lock horns with Burkina Faso in Marrakech.
Successful sides will progress to the quarter-finals on 9–10 January, with the tournament’s grand finale set for 18 January at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah.
