Nigeria will face Mozambique in the round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations following the conclusion of group stage matches, Afrosport reports.
The knockout phase will take place from Saturday, January 3 to January 6 2026, with two matches played each day as teams battle for places in the quarter-finals.
Nigeria, one of the most impressive sides of the group stage, will meet Mozambique on January 5 at the Fes Sports Complex at 8pm local time.
The Super Eagles wrapped up the group stage with a 100 percent record, recording victories over Tanzania (2-1), Tunisia (3-2) and Uganda (3-1), and will now look to build on that momentum as they seek to go one better than their silver-medal finish at the 2023 edition.
Earlier that day, record seven-time champions Egypt will face Benin in Agadir. The Pharaohs have not lifted the AFCON trophy since 2010 and will be eager to end their long wait for continental glory.
Hosts Morocco return to action on January 4, when they take on Tanzania at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat. Morocco topped Group A, while Tanzania qualified as one of the four best third-placed teams from Group C, with an expectant home crowd set to roar the Atlas Lions on as they chase a first AFCON title in 50 years.
Later that evening, South Africa lock horns with Cameroon at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat, in a compelling encounter that pits Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos against the Cameroonian side he famously led to the title in 2017.
The round of 16 action gets underway on Saturday, January 3, with 2021 champions Senegal opening the knockout phase against Sudan at the Grand Stadium in Tangier.
That night, Mali meet Tunisia at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, as Mali continue their pursuit of a maiden continental crown while Tunisia look to rekindle memories of their 2004 triumph.
On the final day of the round of 16, on January 6, Algeria face the Democratic Republic of Congo at the Prince Heritier Moulay El Hassan stadium in Rabat, before the round concludes with a showdown between defending champions Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso in Marrakech.
Down to 16. The road takes shape. 🏆#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | @1xBet_Eng pic.twitter.com/o2cS3pcYDR
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) December 31, 2025
The quarter-finals will be played between January 9 and 10, with the final scheduled for January 18 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, where Africa’s next champion will be crowned
