RABAT, Morocco (Chatnewstv.com) — The Round of 16 line-up for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 was finalized Wednesday after a pulsating group stage that underscored the depth and quality of African football, setting the stage for a high-stakes knockout phase beginning this weekend.
The first elimination matches will be played from Saturday through Tuesday, with two games each day as 16 teams battle for places in the quarterfinals. Kickoff times are set for 5 p.m. local time (1600 GMT) and 8 p.m. local time (1900 GMT).
“The group stage showed once again that there are no easy matches at AFCON,” the Confederation of African Football said in a statement announcing the fixtures. “The knockout phase promises intensity, drama and world-class football.”
Hosts Morocco, chasing a first continental title in 50 years, will face Tanzania on Sunday at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat. Morocco topped Group A, while Tanzania advanced as one of the best third-placed teams from Group C.
“With our supporters behind us, we know what this match means,” a Moroccan football official said. “The objective is clear, but the challenge will be serious.”
Later on Sunday, South Africa will meet Cameroon at Rabat’s Al Medina Stadium, reuniting Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos with the team he led to AFCON glory in 2017.
The knockout phase opens Saturday in Tangier, where 2021 champions Senegal take on Sudan in the first Round of 16 match. Mali and Tunisia will follow later that evening in Casablanca, with Mali seeking a first AFCON title and Tunisia aiming to relive their 2004 triumph.
“We respect Tunisia’s history, but we believe this could be our moment,” a Malian team official said.
Record seven-time champions Egypt, who have not lifted the trophy since 2010, will face Benin on Monday in Agadir. That evening, Nigeria — among the most impressive teams in the group stage — will play Mozambique in Fès as the Super Eagles look to improve on their runner-up finish at the 2023 tournament.
On Tuesday, Algeria meet the Democratic Republic of Congo in Rabat before defending champions Côte d’Ivoire close out the Round of 16 against Burkina Faso in Marrakech.
“This is the phase where AFCON truly begins,” CAF said. “Every match now can define a generation.”
The quarterfinals are scheduled for Jan. 9–10, with the final set for Jan. 18 at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.
TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 — Round of 16 Fixtures
Saturday, Jan. 3
Senegal vs. Sudan — Grand Stade de Tangier (1600 GMT)
Mali vs. Tunisia — Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca (1900 GMT)
Sunday, Jan. 4
Morocco vs. Tanzania — Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat (1600 GMT)
South Africa vs. Cameroon — Al Medina Stadium, Rabat (1900 GMT)
Monday, Jan. 5
Egypt vs. Benin — Grand Stade de Agadir (1600 GMT)
Nigeria vs. Mozambique — Complexe Sportif de Fès (1900 GMT)
Tuesday, Jan. 6
Algeria vs. DR Congo — Stade Prince Heritier Moulay El Hassan, Rabat (1600 GMT)
Côte d’Ivoire vs. Burkina Faso — Grand Stade de Marrakech (1900 GMT)
