Africa Cup of Nations knockout stage begins

As the world welcomed the New Year, Morocco celebrated with festivities across the country, while the African football community eagerly anticipated the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The group stage came to a close on December 31, 2025, setting the stage for the next phase of the tournament.

In Group E, Algeria, Burkina Faso, and Sudan secured their spots in the Round of 16, advancing to the next stage of the competition. Meanwhile, in Group F, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, and Mozambique emerged as the top teams, with Ivory Coast recovering from a two-goal deficit to defeat Gabon 3-2. Both Ivory Coast and Cameroon finished with seven points each, but Ivory Coast’s superior goal tally of five, compared to Cameroon’s four, gave them a slight edge. Mozambique progressed as one of the four best third-place finishers.

The knockout stage is set to commence on January 3, with Senegal facing off against Sudan in the opening match. Other highly anticipated fixtures include Mali vs. Tunisia and South Africa against Cameroon on Sunday. These matches promise to be thrilling encounters, with top teams vying for a spot in the quarterfinals.

The AFCON tournament has been a showcase of African football talent, with teams demonstrating their skills and determination on the pitch. As the competition heats up, fans can expect intense matches and surprising upsets. With the group stage now complete, the focus shifts to the knockout phase, where teams will need to bring their best game to advance to the next round.

The Africa Cup of Nations is a premier international football tournament, held every two years, featuring the best teams from the African continent. The tournament has a rich history, with the first edition held in 1957. This year’s edition promises to be just as exciting, with top teams competing for the coveted title. As the knockout stage gets underway, football fans around the world will be watching closely, eager to see which team will emerge victorious.