The last 16 is done, the bracket is set, and the Africa Cup of Nations is bracing for a blockbuster finish. On Tuesday, January 6, the Round of 16 wrapped up in Morocco with eight quarter-finalists confirmed for AFCON 2025. The theme was simple: the heavyweights held firm. Every side in the last eight is a past winner—except one. Mali, the dark horse of this field, stands alone among champions.

From Dakar to Cairo, Lagos to Rabat, the continent’s football royalty booked their spots with business-like wins or tight escapes. Now the countdown to the quarter-finals begins, with two high-stakes nights ahead and no margin for error.

Round of 16: Favorites handle business, one step at a time

The knockout road began without drama for most of the big names. Hosts Morocco edged past Tanzania 1-0 thanks to a decisive strike from Brahim Díaz, a reminder that tournaments are often won with patience as much as flair. Cameroon, five-time champions, outlasted South Africa 2-1 in a fierce contest, showing their familiar steel when the stakes rise.

Nigeria delivered the most emphatic statement of the round, sweeping Mozambique 4-0 as Victor Osimhen hit a brace. The Super Eagles looked fast, sharp, and ruthless—everything a title hopeful should be at this stage.

Algeria needed extra time to subdue DR Congo 1-0, with substitute Adil Boulbina scoring in the 119th minute. It was the latest of late winners, the kind of moment that can galvanize a squad as the games get tighter.

There was comfort for the holders too. Côte d’Ivoire, defending their crown, put together a polished 3-0 win over Burkina Faso, led by goals from Amad Diallo, Yan Diomande, and substitute Bazoumana Touré. Senegal, meanwhile, moved past Sudan 3-1, as expected of a team with strong pedigree on this stage.

Egypt, the record champions, needed extra time to see off a brave Benin 3-1, leaning on big-game habits when it mattered most. And Mali—this round’s outlier in history if not quality—held their nerve after a 1-1 draw with Tunisia, advancing on penalties to keep their dream alive.

• Senegal 3-1 Sudan
• Mali 1-1 Tunisia (Mali won on penalties)
• Morocco 1-0 Tanzania
• Cameroon 2-1 South Africa
• Egypt 3-1 Benin (after extra time)
• Nigeria 4-0 Mozambique
• Algeria 1-0 DR Congo (after extra time)
• Côte d’Ivoire 3-0 Burkina Faso

“No upsets? Good. The quarter-finals will be brutal.”

AFCON 2025 quarter-final fixtures, dates and venues

Four mouthwatering ties, two nights, one continent watching. All times are WAT.

• Friday, January 9
  Mali vs Senegal – Grand Stade de Tanger, Tangier, 5pm WAT
  Cameroon vs Morocco – Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, 9pm WAT
• Saturday, January 10
  Nigeria vs Algeria – Stade de Marrakech, Ouahat Sidi Brahim, 5pm WAT
  Egypt vs Côte d’Ivoire – Stade Adrar, Agadir, 8pm WAT

There are no easy paths from here. Every matchup brings history, rivalry, and star power.

“Nigeria vs Algeria feels like a final before the final.”

Giants still standing: what the last eight tells us

AFCON 2025’s last eight looks like a hall of fame. Senegal, Morocco, Cameroon, Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria, and Côte d’Ivoire are all past winners with recent form or deep tournament know-how. That creates a clear theme: the strong got stronger.

For the host nation, Morocco’s narrow win suggests control. They can manage tight games, and that matters when chances are few. Cameroon’s victory signals that the Indomitable Lions are again comfortable in fine margins. Egypt’s extra-time win shows staying power in pressure moments.

Nigeria’s four-goal show underlines firepower, while Algeria’s late winner hints at resilience from the bench. Côte d’Ivoire’s clean sheet and three goals look like a champion’s stride at just the right time. And then there’s Mali: the only non-champion left, but a side that just passed a serious nerve test against Tunisia.

“Mali have nothing to lose. That’s dangerous for everyone else.”

Key players shaping the narrative

Victor Osimhen leads the headlines after his brace against Mozambique. When he’s running behind and finishing with that edge, Nigeria become a different beast. Brahim Díaz gave Morocco the exact moment they needed, and those single-goal margins can define champions.

Adil Boulbina’s 119th-minute strike was more than a winner; it was a surge of belief for Algeria. For Côte d’Ivoire, the goals from Amad Diallo and Yan Diomande, plus Bazoumana Touré off the bench, show depth and variety—vital for tournament weeks that test squads, not just starting XIs.

Senegal’s steady 3-1 over Sudan points to balance in both boxes. Egypt’s extra-time push hints at a team that stays calm, trusts its big names, and waits for the game to open. Cameroon’s 2-1 shows the old spark is still there in key moments.

Why this quarter-final slate matters

AFCON is often unpredictable, but this year’s Round of 16 was the opposite. The tournament has concentrated quality at the top, setting up quarter-finals with tight odds and razor-thin gaps. That’s good news for fans: we’re getting heavyweight clashes early, with storylines that travel.

Mali vs Senegal carries underdog-versus-favorite tension, with added regional pride. Cameroon vs Morocco puts a five-time champion against a well-drilled host team in full control of their environment. Nigeria vs Algeria is dripping with history and star names, while Egypt vs Côte d’Ivoire is a meeting of serial winners who know exactly how to drag a tie across the line.

With two days separating the quarters, momentum will be everything. The teams that manage minutes, handle pressure, and take their one big chance will be the ones still standing.

The road ahead

The bracket has a ruthless feel. There is no soft side, no easy ride. Small details—set-piece quality, smart substitutions, and composure in late minutes—will decide who reaches the semi-finals.

One truth stands out after the Round of 16: this AFCON has kept the powerhouses in play and left just enough room for a bold outsider. That balance sets the stage for a classic finish.

Now it’s over to the quarter-finals. Eight teams, seven past champions, one dream shared across a continent. The next whistle can change everything.