Thrilling Round of 16 Fixtures Set
After one of the best group stages ever seen at the Africa Cup of Nations, a thrilling Round of 16 awaits with the fixtures now set. The AFCON 2023 group stage vindicated the Confederation of African Football president, Dr. Patrice Motsepe who had earlier promised that this would be the best AFCON ever.
Amongst the many enthralling stories to come out the group stage, the Ivory Coast had to wait until the very last match of round before converging on the country’s streets in celebration. Morocco, who beat Zambia to open the qualification door for the hosts, had their team bus escorted to the hotel by a happy horde of Ivorians. As a reward for qualifying, Ivory Coast will meet defending champions Senegal for a place in the quarterfinals.
The much-anticipated fixtures kick off with every broadcaster’s dream, Nigeria versus Cameroon. The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon will still be high on adrenaline after that last-minute victory they snatched out of the jaws of defeat in their final group-stage game. Nigeria’s Super Eagles will be soaring in the hope of fulfilling that #LetsDoItAgain slogan that has gripped the most populous country in Africa.
Southern Africa will have at least one country in the last eight after Angola and Namibia made the region proud by qualifying for the knockout stage. Angola topped their group while the Brave Warriors of Namibia gallantly fought for third place in a group that included former champions South Africa and Tunisia.
1996 champions, South Africa will meet familiar foes Morocco. The two pre-tournament favourites were in the same Africa Cup of Nations qualifying group with Bafana Bafana winning a dead rubber at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. This is the chance for Hugo Broos and his charges to get a meaningful win over the Atlas Lions. Morocco coach, Walid Ragregui, will be in the stands for this one after getting a two-match suspension from CAF.
Seven-time champions, Egypt, who also sneaked into knockout stages by the skin of their teeth, will have to get past the unpredictable DR Congo as they search for an eighth Africa Cup of Nations title.
Round of 16 Fixtures:
Nigeria vs Cameroon
Angola vs Namibia
Cape Verde vs Mauritania
Morocco vs South Africa
Mali vs Burkina Faso
Senegal vs Cote D’Ivoire
Egypt vs DR Congo
Equatorial Guinea vs Guinea
