- Safiu Kehinde
The Super Eagles of Nigeria is set to take on Mozambique at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Round of 16 as the knockout battle begins in Morocco.
As contained in the fixtures confirmed for the knockout stage on Wednesday, Nigeria, among the standout teams in the group stage, will face the Os Mambas in Fès, targeting improvement on their silver-medal finish at AFCON 2023.
The knockout phase is scheduled to run from the 3rd to 6th of January, with two matches daily at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
While Nigeria is billed to take on Mozambique next week Monday, 5th of January, the host nation, Morocco, will confront Tanzania on Sunday in Rabat.
Buoyed by home support, the Atlas Lions, eyes their first continental title in 50 years after topping Group A.
Tanzania qualified as one of the four best third-placed teams from Group C, setting up an intriguing encounter against the tournament hosts.
Later on Sunday, South Africa face Cameroon in Rabat, with coach Hugo Broos coming up against the Indomitable Lions he guided to the 2017 title.
Meanwhile, the round opens on Saturday as 2021 champions Senegal tackle Sudan in Tangier, aiming to assert their pedigree at the start of the knockout phase.
Mali meet Tunisia later that evening in Casablanca, with Mali chasing a maiden crown and Tunisia hoping to relive their 2004 triumph.
Alongside the Nigeria and Mozambique match, seven-time champions Egypt, winless since 2010, will take on Benin in Agadir on Monday as the Pharaohs seek to end a long title drought.
Tuesday’s fixtures see Algeria battle DR Congo in Rabat before defending champions Cote d’Ivoire close the round against Burkina Faso in Marrakech.
The quarterfinals will hold on Jan. 9 and 10, with the final slated for Jan. 18 at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat.
CAF AFCON MOROCCO 2025 – ROUND OF 16 FIXTURES
Saturday, Jan. 3
Senegal vs Sudan – 4 p.m., Grand Stade de Tangier
Mali vs Tunisia – 7 p.m., Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca
Sunday, Jan. 4
Morocco vs Tanzania – 4 p.m., Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat
South Africa vs Cameroon – 7 p.m., Stade Al Medina, Rabat
Monday, Jan. 5
Egypt vs Benin – 4 p.m., Grand Stade de Agadir
Nigeria vs Mozambique – 7 p.m., Complexe Sportif de Fès
Tuesday, Jan. 6
Algeria vs DR Congo – 4 p.m., Stade Prince Heritier Moulay El Hassan, Rabat
Cote d’Ivoire vs Burkina Faso – 7 p.m., Grand Stade de Marrakech.