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AFCON 2025 Round of 16 Fixtures: Knockout Stage, Dates and Kickoff Times
Morocco — The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 moves into the Round of 16, setting the stage for high-stakes knockout matches as teams advance from the group stage.
Ejes Gist News reports that fans and football enthusiasts across Africa are eagerly anticipating the upcoming clashes, with matches scheduled over four consecutive days in early January 2026.
The knockout stage marks the first elimination round, where each team must secure victory to progress to the quarter-finals. This year’s tournament, hosted in Morocco, features matches at multiple stadiums, combining world-class infrastructure with a vibrant football atmosphere.
AFCON 2025 Group Stage Standings
Group A
| Team | GP | W | D | L | F | A | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morocco | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 7 |
| Mali | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Comoros | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 2 |
| Zambia | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 2 |
Group B
| Team | GP | W | D | L | F | A | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Egypt | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 7 |
| South Africa | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 6 |
| Angola | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 2 |
| Zimbabwe | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 1 |
Group C
| Team | GP | W | D | L | F | A | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 4 | +4 | 9 |
| Tunisia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 4 |
| Tanzania | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 2 |
| Uganda | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 1 |
Group D
| Team | GP | W | D | L | F | A | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senegal | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6 | 7 |
| Congo DR | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 7 |
| Benin | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 3 |
| Botswana | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | -7 | 0 |
Group E
| Team | GP | W | D | L | F | A | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algeria | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6 | 9 |
| Burkina Faso | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 6 |
| Sudan | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 3 |
| Equatorial Guinea | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 0 |
Group F
| Team | GP | W | D | L | F | A | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ivory Coast | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 7 |
| Cameroon | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 7 |
| Mozambique | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 3 |
| Gabon | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 0 |
Teams Advancing to the AFCON Round of 16
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Top two teams from each group: Morocco, Mali, Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria, Tunisia, Senegal, Congo DR, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Cameroon
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Four best third-placed teams: Comoros (Group A), Tanzania (Group C), Benin (Group D), Mozambique (Group F)
These sixteen teams now enter the knockout stage, beginning on 3 January 2026.
AFCON 2025 Knockout Stage Fixtures:
Round of 16 Fixtures: Dates and Kickoff Times.
The Round of 16 will take place from Saturday, January 3 to Tuesday, January 6, 2026, with matches scheduled in the evening to maximize viewership across the continent.
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Saturday, 3 January 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan — 18:00 local time (16:00 GMT) at Grand Stade de Tangier
- Mali vs Tunisia — 21:00 local time (19:00 GMT) at Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca
Sunday, 4 January 2026
- Morocco vs Tanzania — 18:00 local time (16:00 GMT) at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
- South Africa vs Cameroon — 21:00 local time (19:00 GMT) at Al Barid Stadium, Rabat
Monday, 5 January 2026
- Egypt vs Benin — 18:00 local time (16:00 GMT) at Stade Adrar, Agadir
- Nigeria vs Mozambique — 21:00 local time (19:00 GMT) at Fez Stadium, Fez
Tuesday, 6 January 2026
- Algeria vs DR Congo — 18:00 local time (16:00 GMT) at Stade Prince Heritier Moulay El Hassan, Rabat
- Côte d’Ivoire vs Burkina Faso — 21:00 local time (19:00 GMT) at Marrakech Stadium, Marrakech
Key Matches to Watch
Several fixtures stand out as highly anticipated due to the competitive pedigree of the teams involved:
- Nigeria vs Mozambique: The Super Eagles enter the Round of 16 as one of Africa’s historically strongest teams. Fans expect a decisive performance as Nigeria seeks to return to AFCON glory.
- Morocco vs Tanzania: Host nation Morocco aims to leverage home advantage to secure a quarter-final berth, while Tanzania hopes to produce an upset.
- Senegal vs Sudan: Senegal, led by internationally recognized stars, will aim for a dominant display against Sudan, which has shown resilience in the group stage.
AFCON Quarter-finals
Friday, 9 January 2026
- Round of 16 2 Winner vs Round of 16 1 Winner — 16:00, Stade Ibn-Batouta, Tangier
- Round of 16 4 Winner vs Round of 16 3 Winner — 19:00, Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, Rabat
Saturday, 10 January 2026
- Round of 16 7 Winner vs Round of 16 6 Winner — 16:00, Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech
- Round of 16 5 Winner vs Round of 16 8 Winner — 19:00, Le Grand Stade Agadir, Agadir
Morocco 2025 AFCON knockout schedule: Semi-finals
Wednesday, 14 January 2026
- Quarter-final 1 Winner vs Quarter-final 4 Winner — 17:00, Stade Ibn-Batouta, Tangier
- Quarter-final 3 Winner vs Quarter-final 2 Winner — 20:00, Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, Rabat
Third-place Play-off
Saturday, 17 January 2026
- Semi-final 1 Loser vs Semi-final 2 Loser — 16:00, Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca
Final
Sunday, 18 January 2026
- Semi-final 1 Winner vs Semi-final 2 Winner — 19:00, Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, Rabat
Key Matches to Watch
- Nigeria vs Mozambique: The Super Eagles are expected to advance strongly from the Round of 16, leveraging squad depth and experience.
- Morocco vs Tanzania: Host nation Morocco will rely on home advantage, while Tanzania aims for a historic upset.
- Senegal vs Sudan: Senegal’s international stars make them favourites, but Sudan has shown resilience in the group stage.
Analysts note that tactical discipline, player fitness, and psychological resilience will be decisive in the knockout stages. With each round being single-elimination, teams must perform at their peak to progress.
Analysis and Highlights
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Nigeria tops Group C with a perfect record (3 wins, 8 goals scored, 4 conceded).
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Algeria and Ivory Coast remain unbeaten, demonstrating strong tournament form.
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Mali and Tanzania advance without winning a match, showing the impact of draws in tournament strategy.
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Competitive balance is evident, particularly in Groups D and F, with goal difference deciding third-place qualifications.
The knockout stage promises intense, high-stakes football, with traditional powerhouses and emerging teams vying for Africa’s continental crown. Fans can anticipate tactical battles, dramatic finishes, and memorable performances as the tournament progresses to the final on 18 January 2026.
Tournament Context
The 2025 edition of AFCON has seen intense competition, with traditional powerhouses such as Nigeria, Senegal, and Egypt demonstrating strong form. The group stage produced several surprises, with underdogs qualifying for the knockout rounds, highlighting the growing parity in African football.
The Round of 16 is crucial as it transitions the tournament from group play to single-elimination football, where one loss ends the journey for the defeated team. Analysts suggest that tactical flexibility, squad depth, and mental resilience will determine which teams advance to the quarter-finals.
Broadcast and Fan Engagement
Fans across Africa and beyond can follow the matches via official broadcasters, streaming platforms, and social media updates. Match timings have been scheduled to accommodate viewers in multiple time zones, maximizing accessibility and engagement.
The knockout stage is expected to bring heightened emotions, packed stadiums, and dramatic finishes, reflecting the growing popularity of AFCON as a premier continental football competition.
Looking Ahead
Following the Round of 16, the quarter-finals are scheduled for mid-January, with the tournament ultimately concluding later in the month with the semi-finals and final. The knockout phase will test the tactical acumen of coaches, the stamina of players, and the passion of fans as Africa’s finest compete for continental supremacy.
