Rabat, Morocco: CECAFA representatives Sudan and Tanzania face daunting knockout duels as the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 moves into the Round of 16 after the group stage wrapped up on New Year’s Eve.
Sudan, nicknamed the Bright Stars, progressed as one of the best third-placed teams from Group E and will open the knockout phase against former champions Senegal on Saturday, January 3, at the Grand Stade de Tangier.
The Bright Stars sealed qualification despite a 2–0 loss to Burkina Faso in their final group match. Their campaign had begun with a heavy 3–0 defeat to Algeria before they bounced back with a narrow but crucial 1–0 win over Equatorial Guinea.
Head coach Kwesi Appiah acknowledged the magnitude of the task ahead but said Sudan will approach the contest fully prepared. “We know the quality Senegal have, but we will prepare well and try to compete,” Appiah said.
Tanzania, meanwhile, are writing history of their own. The Taifa Stars have reached the AFCON knockout stage for the first time and now face tournament hosts Morocco on Sunday, January 4, at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.
Tanzania finished third in Group C after draws against Uganda and Tunisia, alongside a narrow defeat to Nigeria. The achievement marks a milestone moment for Tanzanian football on the continental stage.
Morocco, who topped Group A with seven points, are chasing their first AFCON title since 1976. With Achraf Hakimi back to full fitness, Brahim Díaz in strong form and the backing of home fans, the Atlas Lions head into the tie as clear favourites.
However, Tanzania will be hoping to defy expectations and script another chapter in their growing football story.
Elsewhere in the Round of 16, South Africa take on Cameroon in a headline clash that pits Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos against the Indomitable Lions, a side he guided to AFCON glory in 2017.
Mali face Tunisia in another intriguing fixture, while heavyweights Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria and defending champions Ivory Coast also begin their knockout campaigns.
CAF has confirmed that each team reaching the Round of 16 has already earned US$800,000 from the total US$32 million prize fund for AFCON 2025, underlining the high stakes at this stage of the competition.
The Round of 16 matches will run from Saturday, January 3, to Tuesday, January 6, with two games scheduled per day. The quarter-finals are set for January 9 and 10, while the final will be played on January 18 at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.
AFCON 2025 Round of 16 Fixtures (EAT)
Saturday, January 3
Senegal vs Sudan – 7:00pm
Mali vs Tunisia – 10:00pm
Sunday, January 4
Morocco vs Tanzania – 7:00pm
South Africa vs Cameroon – 10:00pm
Monday, January 5
Egypt vs Benin – 7:00pm
Nigeria vs Mozambique – 10:00pm
Tuesday, January 6
Algeria vs DR Congo – 7:00pm
Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso – 10:00pm
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