The group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023, concluded on Wednesday night, setting up some mouthwatering knock-out stage clashes.
In this article, CAFonline examines the Round of 16 fixtures, with some tantalising matches.
Nigeria v Cameroon: Saturday, January 27 at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.
Despite a shaky start, the two giants managed their qualification to the round of 16 after their final round of matches. Nigeria are hoping to end a decade of no AFCON trophy. Rigobert Song is under pressure to give Cameroonians a better performance in the knockout stage after struggling in the group stage, where they won just a game. Obviously, one of the powerhouses will be crashed out in the round of 16.
Angola v Namibia: Saturday, January 27 at Stade de la paix in Bouake.
Namibia made history by qualifying to the knockout stage of this year’s AFCON for the first time in their history since debuting in 1998. They face Angola who topped a group involving Burkina Faso, Burkina Faso and Mauritania with 7 points. Angola will want more based on their record in the history of the competition; two times quarter finalist.
Egypt vs D.R Congo: Sunday, January 28 at the Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pedro.
Egypt qualified after drawing all group games, it was obviously not a good one for the Pharaohs. As the most successful country in the history of the competition, their presence in the knockout stage is a threat to any team they face and D.R Congo is no exception.
Equatorial Guinea v Guinea: Sunday, January 28 at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan.
Equatorial Guinea shockingly managed to top a group involving hosts Côte D’Ivoire and Nigeria. They face a Guinean side who haven’t been consistent with results in this year’s AFCON. The Syli Nationals will have the competition’s top scorer, Emilio Nsue to deal with in this fixture.
Senegal vs Côte d’lvoire: Monday, January 29 Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro.
Following their disappointing 4-0 defeat on the final day, host Cote d’lvoire only progressed after Zambia lost to Morocco in their final group F game. They have been handed a tough test against defending champions, Senegal. The Teranga Lions have a 100% record in the tournament and the fixture is a tough one for the host.
Cape Verde v Mauritania: Monday, January 29 at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan.
After a shocking run in the group stage, which saw Cape Verde going unbeaten and leading a group involving two previous AFCON champions, Egypt and Ghana, the Blue Sharks will have Mauritania to deal with in the round of 16. Amir Abdou has already exceeded expectations by getting this far with Mauritania. They can however write more history as they face Cape Verde.
Mali v Burkina Faso: Tuesday, January 30 at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Korhogo.
Burkina Faso brought their group stage games to a disappointing end after losing 2-0 to Angola. Mali went unbeaten in all their group stage games and will have the advantage of playing at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Kohorgo. The venue they played most of their group games at.
Morocco vs South Africa: Tuesday, January 30 at the Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pedro.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinalists are on track to win the AFCON, Cote d’lvoire 2023. On their way to achieving the feat, they will face South Africa in the Round of 16. The South Africa attack with Percy Tau and Themba Zwane will give the Moroccans lot of problems to deal with.
