When the Africa Cup of Nations resumes in Morocco, a star-studded cast that includes Mohamed Salah, Achraf Hakimi, and Victor Osimhen switches to knockout fare.
Hakimi, a Paris Saint-Germain defender, was named the 2025 African Player of the Year in November.
The runners-up were Galatasaray’s Osimhen and Liverpool’s Salah.
The 16 survivors from 24 hopefuls compete in eight second-round matches over the course of eight days after 36 matches spread across six groups.
Morocco will take on Tanzania, Salah will lead Egypt, and Osimhen-inspired Nigeria take on Mozambique. Fit-again Hakimi will take the title game.
What match-ups will determine which countries advance to the quarter-finals and move one step closer to a record $10 million (€8.5 million) first prize.
Sudan vs. Senegal
As 2022 champions Senegal confirmed their position as favorites after winning Group D, veteran Sadio Mane and Paris Saint-Germain’s 17-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye made two appearances off the bench.
Sudan, a nation that has been ravaged by civil war since 2023, advanced to the second round despite the players’ failure to score.
Equatorial Guinea’s only victory in Group F was via an own goal.
Tunisia vs. Mali
After three Group A draws, Belgium-born Mali coach Tom Saintfiet warned his team, “if we keep playing this, we will not go much further.”
Tunisia lost three goals to Nigeria before losing. The Carthage Eagles then scored twice before half-time.
Tanzania vs. Morocco
A discrepancy in terms of reality because Morocco, which only won once in the past 50 years, is 101 places ahead of Tanzania in the world rankings.
The east Africans’ 45-year wait was ended by two draws.
Brahim Diaz from Real Madrid and Ayoub El Kaabi from Olympiacos make up Morocco’s potent strike force.
Riyad Mahrez of Algeria leads them with three goals each, with them each scoring three.
Cameroon vs. South Africa
South Africa defeated Cameroon 3-1 in Johannesburg to make its AFCON debut 30 years ago.
With only four places in the world rankings left, their second meeting should be much closer.
South Africa will turn to Oswin Appollis and Lyle Foster for goals, while Christian Kofane, age 19, scored the game’s winner against Mozambique.
Benin vs. Egypt
Salah has regained his desire for goals in southern Morocco after struggling this season for Liverpool.
With Egypt’s Group B victory, he claimed the match-winners against Zimbabwe and South Africa.
25 years after winning the inaugural AFCON, Benin defeated Botswana.
Although the Cheetahs lack punch upfront, they are a small, spirited, but veteran striker Steve Mounie-led team.
Mozambique vs. Nigeria
With just one goal, Livewire Osimhen poses a significant aerial threat, having lost to Tunisia and Tanzania in Group C, hat-tricks are unlikely to come.
Ademola Lookman, a fellow former African player of the year, impressed as well.
In their previous AFCON match 16 years ago, Mozambique defeated the Super Eagles 3-3.
This time, Geny Catamo, a striker who poses a threat to the Mambas (snakes), will likely be tighter.
Algeria vs. DR Congo
The match of the round might be the conflict between two former champions.
Only two European coaches, Bosnia’s Vladimir Petkovic and Frenchman Sebastien Desabre, are involved in the tie.
The only teams to have triumphed in each of their three group matches were Algeria and Nigeria.
Mahrez, a former winger for Manchester City, has scored three goals as an inspirational captain.
Burkinabe vs. Ivory Coast
Only nations from the same region are matched up in this match.
West Africa is a border between Burkinabe and Ivory Coast, the country’s current champion.
Amad Diallo, a winger for Manchester United, was the only player to receive two player-of-the-match honors in the group stage.
Edmond Tapsoba and Issoufou Dayo, the Ivorian, are now in opposition to the impressive Burkinabe defense duo.
Source: Channels TV
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