Overview:
At the round of 16, Nigeria takes on Mozambique in Fes city. Tunisia plays the physical West Africans Mali in Casablanca city and Tanzania will square up with hosts Morooco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat city. Senegal entertains another CECAFA zone country, Sudan in Tangier, South Africa against Cameroon in Rabat, Egypt with Benin in Agadir, Algeria and DR Congo in Rabat and the reigning champions Ivory Coast with Burkina Faso in Agadir
2026 is here. Morocco is buzzing. The 24 countries at the 35th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) football championship are down to 16.
This follows the successful completion of the grueling group stages played at 9 venues in the different 6 cities of Morocco.
The group stages ended in the old year on 31st December 2025 and now focus switches to the round of 16 knock out phase.
It is winner takes it all with the quarter slots at stake coming closer to the tournament grand climax.
My lovely Uganda Cranes was among the 8 countries that were eliminated from the group stages with just a single point fetched from three matches.
Uganda managed to scored three goals (at least once per game) and conceded seven.
This followed two losses; 3-1 identical defeats to Tunisia and Nigeria as well as a draw with fellow CECAFA Zone representatives, Tanzania (1-1).
At the round of 16, Nigeria takes on Mozambique in Fes city. Tunisia plays the physical West Africans Mali in Casablanca city and Tanzania will square up with hosts Morooco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat city.
Other duels at round of 16:
Senegal entertains another CECAFA zone country, Sudan in Tangier, South Africa against Cameroon in Rabat, Egypt with Benin in Agadir, Algeria and DR Congo in Rabat and the reigning champions Ivory Coast with Burkina Faso in Agadir
The round of 16 stage ushers the teams to the quarter-finals (last 8 round) and there is no room for complacency.
Virtually, it is a winner takes it all contest and therefore everything will be thrown to the wire.
As the different countries return to their respective countries after dismissal performances, there are lingering questions of accountability via performance.
Already reshuffles have been heard in the Gabon national team (The Panthers) including the disbandment of the entire team.
A lot more developments will definitely come up in the respective camps by close of the championship.
For now, focus shifts to the round of 16 games starting a double header on Saturday, 3rd January 2026.
Mali faces Tunisia in Casablanca and on the same day, Senegal will take on Sudan in Tangier.
The Round of 16 fixtures
Saturday January 3rd, 2026
- Mali Vs Tunisia – Casablanca
- Senegal Vs Sudan – Tangier
Sunday January 4th, 2026
- Morocco Vs Tanzania – Rabat
- South Africa Vs Cameroon – Rabat
Monday January 5th, 2026
- Egypt Vs Benin – Agadir
- Nigeria Vs Mozambique – Fez
Tuesday January 6th, 2026
- Algeria Vs DR Congo – Rabat
- Ivory Coast Vs Burkina Faso – Agadir