The first knockout phase of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 ended on Tuesday night and with the Round of 16 now concluded, the quarter-final places have been decided. 

As Africa’s biggest football tournament moves into its most decisive stage, the results have underlined both the quality of the favourites and the fine margins that continue to define AFCON football.

The Round of 16 marked the start of straight knockout competition, where the outcome of the matches have reshaped the competition.

After an unpredictable group stage that opened the door for several contenders, the last-16 ties have decided who remains on course for continental glory and who sees their journey come to an abrupt end.

Eight teams have secured their places in the quarter-finals, each doing so in contrasting fashion but with the same objective achieved: staying alive in the title race.

Senegal were the first nation to book a quarter-final spot on Saturday. The former African champions extended their impressive unbeaten run at the tournament by overcoming Sudan, confirming their status as one of the most consistent sides on the continent.

Later in the day, Mali secured their place in the quarter-finals when they defeated Tunisia on penalties despite playing large parts of the game with ten men

Tournament hosts Morocco followed on Sunday, edging past Tanzania with a narrow but controlled 1–0 victory in Rabat. In front of a passionate home crowd, the Atlas Lions showed patience and maturity, with Brahim Díaz providing the decisive moment.

The win not only kept Morocco’s title hopes alive but also reinforced their growing belief that this could finally be their year, 50 years after their last AFCON triumph.

Cameroon then joined the list of quarter-finalists later in the day after a dramatic 2–1 win over South Africa. The Indomitable Lions, five-time African champions, once again showcased their pedigree in knockout football, finding a way through in a fiercely contested encounter.

Their reward is a mouth-watering quarter-final clash against hosts Morocco, a fixture that promises intensity, history and continental heavyweight status.

Elsewhere on Monday Egypt defeated Benin 3-1 after extra-time with Mohammed Salah scoring with the last kick of the game. 

Nigeria also secured their place in the quarter finals on Monday night after hammering Mozambique 4-0 with Victor Osimhen scoring a brace to help the Super Eagles to advance.

Algeria beat DR Congo 1-0 in extra-time to secure their place in the quarter-final thanks to a fantastic long-range strike by substitute Adil Boulbina on Tuesday.

Later in the day defending champions Côte d’Ivoire defeated neighbours Burkina Faso 3-0 to secure the final place in the last eight of the competition.

The quarter-finals of AFCON 2025 will be played on Friday 9 January and Saturday 10 January, with the competition building towards the final on 18 January at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.

Confirmed quarter-final fixtures

• Mali vs Senegal – Friday, 9 January
• Cameroon vs Morocco – Friday, 9 January
• Egypt v Cote d'Ivoire – Saturday, 10 January
• Nigeria v Algeria – Saturday, 10 January