This time it’s there, everyone is fixed. The group stage of the 2025 African Cup of Nations has officially closed its doors with the respective successes of Ivory Coast and Cameroon against Gabon and Mozambique, thus freezing the positions of group F, the last one still open.
If we already knew the identity of the 16 nations qualified for the round of 16 of the continental competition on Tuesday evening, there was still a major challenge this Wednesday: determining the last teams classified first, second and third in groups E and F. This is now done, offering total visibility on the final table.
The reunion of Mali and Tunisia
All the favorites having responded to the first round, numerous shocks at high altitude will therefore enliven the start of the final phase. At the top of the table, Mali and Tunisia will face each other for the 14th time in their history in an official match, the sixth since 2019. The stakes? Potentially finding the Senegalese ogre in the quarter-finals. Opposed to Sudan, the Lions of Teranga will open the ball on January 3, 2026, at 5 p.m.
For its part, Mohamed Salah’s Egypt will start favorites against Benin and will try to reach the quarters, where a shock against Ivory Coast, which will face Burkina Faso, could await them.
Algeria – DR Congo in star match
At the bottom of the table, serious things will quickly begin, with a very indecisive meeting planned between South Africa and Cameroon on Sunday January 4, 2026 at 8 p.m. A few moments earlier, at 5 p.m., Morocco, host country and big favorite for the CAN, will return to the pitch with a very affordable round of 16 against Tanzania, qualified as the best third without the slightest victory on the clock during the group stage.
On January 5, 2026 at 8 p.m., Nigeria will try to continue its perfect run by challenging Mozambique in Fez. An appetizer before the highlight of the show scheduled for the next day at 5 p.m. in Rabat: the clash of these round of 16 between Algeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, awaited by all followers of the African Cup of Nations.
Worth a look
