Month: January 2026

Tunisia and Mali set for a cracking AFCON knockout contest
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Tunisia and Mali set for a cracking AFCON knockout contest

Brave Mali set to go up against North African opposition Tunisia in the round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, taking place at Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca on Saturday.

Mali advanced to the knockout phase by finishing second in Group A, securing two draws against Zambia and Morocco, and a goalless draw against Comoros. Despite being unbeaten, they didn’t achieve any victories in the group.

In their last six competitive matches, Mali has shown tough composure, with two wins and four draws. Historically, they are consistent AFCON performers, frequently reaching the knockout stages, though they have yet to win the tournament.

Tunisia reached the round of 16 by finishing second in Group C, starting with a 3-1 victory over Uganda, followed by a loss to Nigeria and a draw with Tanzania. Their group stage performance highlighted both attacking potential and defensive vulnerabilities.

Tunisia’s depth of experience in the Africa Cup of Nations, including their previous title in 2004, gives them an advantage as they approach the knockout stage of football.

Both teams have faced each other 13 times since 1994, with Tunisia winning six matches, Mali four, and three ending in draws. Recent meetings have been closely contested.

Mali’s head coach, Tom Saintfiet, made four changes to the lineup that drew with Morocco. However, they will be without key midfielder Amadou Haidara, who is suspended following a red card in their last match. There is positive news regarding injuries, as Sikou Niakate is back in training.

Tunisia’s head coach, Sami Trabelsi, has a nearly full-strength squad, with no suspensions reported. The main concern is Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, who suffered a knee injury, but initial assessments suggest it is not serious. Additionally, Elias Achouri is expected to return to full fitness soon after a minor injury.

Mali’s possible starting lineup:

Diarra; W. Coulibaly, Diaby, O. Camara, Gassama; Dieng, Doumbia, L. Coulibaly, Sangare, Bissouma; Sinayoko

Tunisia’s possible starting lineup:

Dahmen; Abdi, Talbi, Bronn, Valery; Skhiri, Gharbi, Mejbri; Achouri, Tounekti, Mastouri

AFCON 2025 Round of 16 fixtures – Saturday, 3 January 2026 
  • Mali vs Tunisia 20h00 local time / 19h00 GMT
    Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca
Senegal and Sudan last-16 Cup of Nations 2025 preview
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal and Sudan Last-16 Cup of Nations 2025 preview

Senegal aims to overcome the disappointment of being eliminated in the round of 16 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations when they face Sudan at Grande de Tanger on Saturday.

The Terenga Lions performed admirably in the group stage, achieving a 3-0 victory over Botswana, a 1-1 draw with DR Congo, and a decisive win against Benin, concluding the group with seven points. They topped Group D thanks to their superior goal difference compared to DR Congo.

While Senegal’s strong performance in the first round has resulted in a more favourable matchup against Sudan, they are mindful of the potential challenges posed by their opponents.

In the previous edition of the tournament, Senegal was unexpectedly eliminated by the eventual champions, the Ivory Coast, at a similar stage.

Confidence is high for Senegal as they prepare to advance past Sudan, particularly given their status as one of the continent’s most in-form teams, with three victories in their last four matches (one draw). They have excelled offensively, scoring seven goals while conceding just one.

Sudan, on the other hand, has emerged as one of the surprise teams of this round, reaching the last 16 despite winning only one of their three group matches.

Their campaign began with a 3-0 defeat to Algeria, followed by a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Equatorial Guinea. They faced a setback in their final group match against Burkina Faso, losing 2-0. Nonetheless, their single win was sufficient to secure their place as one of the best third-placed teams.

Saturday’s match against Senegal presents a significant challenge for Sudan, particularly given their recent performance of just two wins in their last 15 matches.

In terms of head-to-head statistics, Senegal has historically dominated encounters with Sudan, winning all of their last seven meetings, which included four draws. Over these contests, Senegal has scored eight goals while Sudan has managed only one.

A key player to watch for Senegal is Nicolas Jackson, who made a noteworthy entrance into the tournament by scoring twice in their opening match. While he has not added to his goal tally since, the expectation is that he will seek to enhance his performance against a less competitive opponent on Saturday.

In terms of team composition, Senegal will be without captain Kalidou Koulibaly, who was sent off in their last match against Benin. Diao will also be unavailable due to a thigh injury, and Ilay Camara is sidelined with a muscle injury.

For Senegal, the probable lineup includes: Elneel, Awad, Saeed Ahmed, Karshom, Khamis, Taifour, Alhassan Omer, Nooh, Eisa, and Abdelrahman.

Sudan’s anticipated lineup features: Mendy, Jakobs, Niakhate, Seck, Diatta, P. Gueye, I. Gueye, Ndiaye, Mane, Sarr, and Jackson.

AFCON 2025 Round of 16 fixtures
Saturday, 3 January 2026 – Senegal vs Sudan, 17:00 –Grand Stade de Tangier
Intriguing Cup of Nations AFCON last-16 matches confirmed
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Intriguing Cup of Nations AFCON last-16 matches confirmed

The fixtures for the Round of 16 in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 in Morocco have been finalized, following an exhilarating group stage that showcased the exceptional talent in African football.

The knockout stage is scheduled to take place from Saturday, January 3, to Tuesday, January 6, featuring two matches each day at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT) and 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT) as teams compete for a place in the quarter-finals.

Morocco, the host nation, will face Tanzania at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat on Sunday at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT). The Moroccan team, which topped Group A, is poised to seek their first continental title in 50 years, supported by enthusiastic local fans.

Simultaneously, South Africa and Cameroon will compete later that same day at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat at 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT). This match will feature coach Hugo Broos against the national team he previously led to victory in 2017.

The Round of 16 will commence on Saturday with the matchup between 2021 champions Senegal and Sudan at the Grand Stade de Tangier at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT). Following this, Mali will play against Tunisia at 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT) at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca, with Mali striving for their first continental championship while Tunisia aims to replicate their triumph from 2004.

Egypt, the record seven-time champions of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, are looking to end a lengthy wait for the trophy since their last victory in 2010. They will face Benin on Monday at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT) at the Grand Stade de Agadir.

That evening, Nigeria, one of the standout teams from the group stages, will take on Mozambique at the Complexe Sportif de Fès at 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT) as they aim to improve upon their silver medal finish at the 2023 tournament.

On Tuesday, Algeria will meet the Democratic Republic of Congo at the Stade Prince Heritier Moulay El Hassan in Rabat at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT). The Round of 16 will conclude with a match between defending champions Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso at the Grand Stade de Marrakech at 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT).

The quarter-finals are set to be held on January 9-10, with the final taking place on January 18 at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah.

TOTALENERGIES CAF AFCON MOROCCO 2025 ROUND OF 16 FIXTURES
  • Saturday, 3 January 2026 – Senegal vs Sudan
  • 17h00 local time / 16h00 GMT
  • Grand Stade de Tangier
  • Mali vs Tunisia – 20h00 local time / 19h00 GMT
  • Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca
  •  
  • Sunday, 4 January 2026.
  • Morocco vs Tanzania – 17h00 local time / 16h00 GMT 
  • Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat
  • South Africa vs Cameroon
  • 20h00 local time / 19h00 GMT
  • Stade Al Medina, Rabat
 
  • Monday, 5 January 2026
  • Egypt vs Benin
  • 17h00 local time / 16h00 GMT
  • Grand Stade de Agadir
  • Nigeria vs Mozambique
  • 20h00 local time / 19h00 GMT
  • Complexe Sportif de Fès
  •  
  • Tuesday, 6 January 2026
  • Algeria vs DR Congo
  • 17h00 local time / 16h00 GMT
  • Stade Prince Heritier Moulay El Hassan, Rabat
  • Cote d’Ivoire vs Burkina Faso
  • 20h00 local time / 19h00 GMT
  • Grand Stade de Marrakech