The Round of 16 fixtures for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) have been confirmed following the conclusion of Group D matches on Tuesday.
Defending champions Senegal booked their place in the knockout stage as winners of Group D after a convincing 3–0 victory over Benin in Tangier. The result ensured Senegal finished above the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) on goal difference, despite both teams ending the group stage with seven points.
Goals from Abdoulaye Seck and Habib Diallo gave Senegal a first-half advantage before captain Kalidou Koulibaly was sent off in the second half. Cherif Ndiaye later sealed the win with a late penalty.
Meanwhile, DR Congo defeated already-eliminated Botswana 3–0 in Rabat. However, the result was not enough to dislodge Senegal from the top of the group, as Pape Thiaw’s side finished with a superior goal difference of two.
As Group D winners, Senegal have secured a more favourable route in the knockout phase and will remain in Tangier for their Round of 16 clash on Saturday against the third-placed team in Group E. That opponent will be determined after Burkina Faso and Sudan face each other in Casablanca on Wednesday.
DR Congo, on the other hand, will face a heavyweight encounter against Algeria in the Round of 16.
AFCON 2025 Round of 16 Fixtures
(All kick-off times in GMT)
Saturday, January 3
Tangier
- Senegal vs 3rd Place Group E (16:00)
Casablanca
- Mali vs Tunisia (19:00)
Sunday, January 4
Rabat
- Morocco vs Tanzania (16:00)
- South Africa vs 2nd Place Group F (19:00)
Monday, January 5
Agadir
- Egypt vs Benin (16:00)
Fes
- Nigeria vs 3rd Place Group F (19:00)
Tuesday, January 6
Rabat
- Algeria vs Democratic Republic of Congo (16:00)
Marrakesh
- 1st Place Group F vs 2nd Place Group E (19:00)
Notes
- The Round of 16 line-up will be fully confirmed after the final group matches on December 31.
- Drawn matches after 90 minutes will proceed to extra time and, if necessary, penalty shootouts.
- Winners will advance to the quarter-finals scheduled for January 9–10.
