The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) has reached a thrilling juncture as the Round of 16 matchups and schedule have been officially announced. The knockout stage begins on Saturday, January 7, 2025, with all top teams entering the competition after a predictable group phase.
Teams Progressing to the Knockout Stage
All six seeded teams topped their groups, maintaining their status as favorites. Notably, Nigeria and Algeria achieved perfect records, winning all three of their group matches, and could potentially clash in the quarterfinals.
- Top Teams: Nigeria, Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire
- Matches Played On: January 7-10, 2025
Match Schedule for the Round of 16
The first four matches are set to take place over the course of four days, featuring notable clashes:
| Date | Matchup | Venue | Time (GMT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 7 | Sénégal vs. Soudan | Grand stade de Tanger | 16:00 |
| January 7 | Mali vs. Tunisie | Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca | 19:00 |
| January 8 | Maroc vs. Tanzanie | Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat | 16:00 |
| January 8 | Afrique du Sud vs. Cameroun | Stade Al Medina, Rabat | 19:00 |
| January 9 | Égypte vs. Bénin | Grand stade d’Agadir | 16:00 |
| January 9 | Nigeria vs. Mozambique | Stade du Complexe sportif de Fès | 19:00 |
| January 10 | Algérie vs. RDC | Stade Prince Moulay El Hassan, Rabat | 16:00 |
| January 10 | Côte d’Ivoire vs. Burkina Faso | Grand stade de Marrakech | 19:00 |
Key Matches to Watch
The opening match features defending champions Senegal against Sudan. Senegal aims to assert their dominance despite the absence of their captain, Kalidou Koulibaly.
Another intriguing encounter pits Mali against Tunisia. Tunisia seeks redemption after a shaky group stage, while Mali aims to capitalize on their solid defensive performance.
On January 8, hosts Morocco face Tanzania, aiming to dispel early tournament doubts. Additionally, the match between Cameroon and South Africa is highly anticipated due to their historical rivalry.
Conclusion
The knockout stage of the CAN 2025 promises to deliver excitement. With prominent teams and compelling matchups lined up, fans worldwide are eager to witness which nations will advance to the next round.
