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 concluded 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. In Group F, Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Mozambique emerged as the top teams. Ivory Coast recovered from a two‑goal deficit to defeat Gabon 3‑2; both Ivory Coast and Cameroon finished with seven points, but Ivory Coast’s superior goal tally of five (versus Cameroon’s four) gave them the edge. Mozambique progressed as one of the four best third‑place finishers.

The knockout stage will commence on January 3, with Senegal facing Sudan in the opening match. Other highly anticipated fixtures include Mali versus Tunisia and South Africa against Cameroon on Sunday. These encounters promise thrilling action as top teams vie for a place in the quarter‑finals.

The AFCON tournament has showcased African football talent, with teams demonstrating skill and determination on the pitch. With the group stage now complete, the focus shifts to the knockout phase, where squads must bring their best game to advance. The Africa Cup of Nations, a premier international tournament held every two years since its inaugural edition in 1957, promises another exciting chapter as fans worldwide watch to see which team will claim the coveted title.