The hardest part is yet to come. Qualified after its second victory in a row, against Burkina Faso this Sunday (1-0), Algeria already knows its three potential opponents in the round of 16 of the 2025 African Cup of Nations. Definitely first in Group E even before playing their last match against Equatorial Guinea (Wednesday, 5 p.m.), the Fennecs will face the second in Group D in the next round.
Riyad Mahrez and his teammates will have to meet Senegal, the Democratic Republic of Congo or Benin in the round of 16. Facing the Senegalese would bring back good memories for Vladimir Petkovic’s men, since it was the poster for the CAN 2019 final won 1-0 by the Fennecs thanks to a goal from Baghdad Bounedjah.
During qualifying for this same competition, however, they lost by the smallest of margins against the Beninese, in what remains to this day their last opposition in official competition (1-0). Algeria has never lost against DR Congo (1 win, 4 draws).
The classification of group D, of which Algeria will face the second
- Senegal – 4 pts (+ 4)
- Democratic Republic of Congo – 4 pts (+1)
- Benin – 3 pts (0)
- Botswana – 0 pts (-4)
The program for the last day (Tuesday, 8 p.m.)
Benin – Senegal
Botswana – RD Congo
Defeated against its first pursuer, Botswana is unable to hold on better than the last place in its group, even in the event of success on the last day, direct confrontations taking precedence over goal difference in the event of a tie on points.
After the draw between the Lions of Teranga and the Leopards (1-1) and the first victory in the history of Benin at the CAN, against the Botswanans (1-0), everything remains to be played between the three potential future adversaries of Algeria. The Fennecs’ round of 16 will take place on Tuesday January 6 at 5 p.m.
