* Mozambique have managed to qualify for the AfCON knockout stages for the first time from 16 previous appearances
* They also recorded their first-ever AfCON match when they beat Gabon 3-2 in group stages
Maravi Express
Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) nations, South Africa and Mozambique will face West Africans, Cameroon and Nigeria respectively in the knockout stages of the Round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) Morocco 2025.
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South Africa and Cameroon will lock horns on Sunday at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat pitting Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos against the side he led to the title in 2017.
On Monday, Mozambique — who have managed to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time from 16 previous appearances in which they also recorded their first-ever AfCON match when they beat Gabon 3-2 in group stages — will face Nigeria, who were among the most impressive sides in the group stages.
The first Round of 16 on Saturday, will be between hosts Morocco against Tanzania in which the CECAFA side will be seeking a first continental title in 50 years. Morocco topped Group A, with Tanzania qualifying as one of the four Best 3rd-placed sides out of Group C.
The same day, 2021 winners Senegal take on Sudan before Mali tackling Tunisia as the North African giants will be seeking to repeat their 2004 triumph.
Record 7-time winners, Egypt, who have not lifted the trophy since 2010, face Benin on Monday while Algeria face the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Tuesday before the Round of 16 concluding with defending champions Côte d’Ivoire meeting and Burkina Faso.
Gabon 2-3 Côte d’Ivoire
The group stages concluded yesterday with the defending champions Côte d’Ivoire coming from two goals down to beat Gabon 3–2 in a dramatic finale and claiming top spot in Group F.
Gabon stunned the holders early, taking the lead in the 11th minute through Guélor Kanga, before Denis Bouanga doubled the advantage in the 21st minute with a clinical finish that left Côte d’Ivoire chasing the game.
Côte d’Ivoire fought back before halftime, with Jean‑Philippe Krasso pulling one back in the 44th minute following a clever build-up involving Wilfried Zaha and the Elephants continued to press after the break, and Evann Guessand equalised in the 84th minute with a well-timed assist from a Christopher Opéri cross, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
The comeback was completed in stoppage time when Bazoumana Touré headed home the winner in the 90+1st minute, sparking jubilant celebrations.
Elsewhere in the group, Cameroon came from behind to beat Mozambique 2-1 and make it to the knockout stage as group runners up.
Equatorial Guinea 1–3 Algeria
Algeria underlined their status as one of the standout teams of the AfCON Morocco 2025 by easing to a 3-1 victory over Equatorial Guinea, completing the group stage with a flawless record.
Even with several changes to the starting line-up, Algeria were dominant from the opening exchanges and effectively settled the contest inside the first half hour, showcasing their depth and attacking efficiency.
The breakthrough arrived in the 18th minute when Hadj Moussa’s inswinging corner was met by Zineddine Belaïd, who powered a header beyond goalkeeper Jesús Owono.
Algeria barely allowed their opponents time to regroup and doubled their advantage seven minutes later, Fares Chaïbi finishing confidently after sustained pressure around the penalty area.
Equatorial Guinea struggled to stem the tide as Algeria continued to dictate the tempo and the third goal arrived in the 32nd minute, once again with Hadj Moussa at the heart of the move, supplying Ibrahim Maza to strike decisively and leave Les Fennecs firmly in control by the interval.
After the break, Algeria maintained their composure, continuing to circulate the ball with authority and create openings, though without adding to their tally. Their intensity dipped slightly, offering Equatorial Guinea a rare opening back into the contest.
That moment arrived five minutes into the second half when Emilio Nsue produced a fine strike from the edge of the box, reducing the deficit and briefly injecting belief into the Equatoguinean ranks.
However, the response was limited, with Algeria quickly regaining control and managing the remainder of the contest with maturity.
Sudan 0-2 Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso bounced back from their defeat to Algeria by producing a controlled 2-0 victory over Sudan to confirm second place in Group E.
Goals from Lassina Traoré and Arsène Kouassi ensured the Stallions finished the group stage with six points, three behind group winners Algeria, while Sudan progressed despite defeat, their earlier results already enough to secure a Round of 16 berth.
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Full group results
Group A
Morocco 2-0 Comoros
Mali 1-1 Zambia
Zambia 0-0 Comoros
Morocco 1-1 Mali
Zambia 0-3 Morocco
Comoros 0-0 Mali
Group B
South Africa 2-1 Angola
Egypt 2-1 Zimbabwe
Angola 1-1 Zimbabwe
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
Zimbabwe 2-3 South Africa
Angola 0-0 Egypt
Group C
DR Congo 1-0 Benin
Senegal 3-0 Botswana
Benin 1-0 Botswana
Senegal 1-1 DR Congo
Botswana 0-3 DR Congo
Benin 0-3 Senegal
Group D
Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
Tunisia 3-1 Uganda
Uganda 1-1 Tanzania
Nigeria 3-2 Tunisia
Uganda 1-3 Nigeria
Tanzania 1-1 Tunisia
Group E
Burkina Faso 2-1 Equatorial Guinea
Algeria 3-0 Sudan
Algeria 1-0 Burkina Faso
Equatorial Guinea 0-1 Sudan
Equatorial Guinea 1-3 Algeria
Sudan 0-2 Burkina Faso
Group F
Côte d’Ivoire 1-0 Mozambique
Cameroon 1-0 Gabon
Gabon 2-3 Mozambique
Côte d’Ivoire 1-1 Cameroon
Gabon 2-3 Côte d’Ivoire
Mozambique 1-2 Cameroon
* Reporting by CAFonline, edited by Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express