AFCON 2025: All 16 teams locked in, Knockout picture takes shape

The Africa Cup of Nations has reached a decisive point. Even as Group E and Group F wrap up their matches on Wednesday, December 31, the knockout line-up is already complete, setting the stage for a tense and unforgiving Round of 16.

After days of drama, late goals and narrow escapes across the completed groups, the 16 teams that will battle for a place in the quarterfinals are now known. 

The group stage has and is still delivering exactly what AFCON promises, unpredictability and fine margins.

Nigeria led the way in style. The Super Eagles brushed aside Uganda 3–1 on Tuesday to become the first team at the tournament to win all three group matches. 

A clear statement from the West African giants, that they moved through the group stage with confidence and growing momentum.

Elsewhere, qualification came the hard way. Tunisia and Tanzania shared a tense 1–1 draw, a result that sent both sides through. 

Tunisia finished Group C on four points, while Tanzania edged into the last 16 with just two. 

Remarkably, the Taifa Stars have reached the knockout stage for the first time in their history without a single win, proof of how slim the margins can be at AFCON.

The final slots were decided by the best third-placed teams. Mozambique, Benin and Sudan did just enough to advance, their three points despite not having played their third games yet.

This happened because the AFCON group stage works on head to head, meaning that even when they lose with their three points to those above them and those below who are currently on zero win thus tie on three points- it will still have no impact.

Now the real battle begins. Morocco, Mali, Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria, Tunisia, Tanzania, Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Mozambique remain in the hunt.

After turning group matches to placement matches, we await to see which team will top Group E or even F we shall see the following matches;

Group E

• Algeria Vs Equatorial Guinea 
• Sudan Vs Burkina Faso

Group F

• Gabon Vs Ivory Coast
• Mozambique Vs Cameroon