Saturday signals the commencement of the Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16, ushering in a thrilling phase of the competition. As the continental finals in the Ivory Coast have unfolded with surprises, we gear up for eight compelling encounters. The unpredictability displayed thus far hints at more excitement. Let’s delve into the matchups for the Round of 16:
ANGOLA VS NAMIBIA
Saturday (18h00) – Stade de la Paix, Bouaké
A Southern African clash between Group D winners Angola and the historic qualifiers Namibia promises an intriguing encounter. Despite being familiar foes in the COSAFA Cup, their limited recent confrontations add to the suspense. Namibia, resilient after a 4-0 loss to Bafana Bafana, looks formidable.
NIGERIA VS CAMEROON
Saturday (21h00) – Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan
Nigeria, under coach Jose Peseiro, seeks cohesion after a lukewarm group stage. Cameroon, surviving with a dramatic win over Gambia, welcomes back Vincent Aboubakar. A rematch from 2019, where Nigeria edged a 3-2 victory, adds a layer of intensity.
EQUATORIAL GUINEA VS GUINEA
Sunday (18h00) – Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan
In an unprecedented clash, Equatorial Guinea, the tournament’s surprise, faces Guinea. Equatorial Guinea’s free-flowing football contrasted with Guinea’s struggling run, setting the stage for a riveting clash. Can Equatorial Guinea’s Emilio Nsue, the leading scorer, continue his golden run?
EGYPT VS DR CONGO
Sunday (21h00) – Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pédro
An injury-hit Egypt, sans Salah, braces for DR Congo. Both teams, with three consecutive 2-2 draws, seek a breakthrough. Egypt’s historical edge, undefeated against DR Congo since 1974, adds pressure. Can DR Congo upset the trend?
CAPE VERDE VS MAURITANIA
Monday (18h00) – Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan
Cape Verde’s impressive group-topping performance sets them against Mauritania. With a 4-3 head-to-head lead, Cape Verde appears poised. Mauritania, buoyed by their first-ever finals victory, faces a daunting challenge.
SENEGAL VS IVORY COAST
Monday (21h00) – Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro
A heavyweight clash between defending champions Senegal and hosts Ivory Coast awaits. Ivory Coast, reeling from a 4-0 loss, faces an uphill battle. Senegal, with a perfect group stage, stands as the favorite, but Ivory Coast’s home advantage adds intrigue.
MALI VS BURKINA FASO
Tuesday (18h00) – Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Korhogo
Mali, topping their group with uneven performances, encounters Burkina Faso. Despite uninspiring displays, Mali holds a favorable record against Burkina Faso. With talent yet to shine, Mali aims for improvement.
MOROCCO VS SOUTH AFRICA
Tuesday (21h00) – Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pédro
Bafana Bafana, displaying resilience, faces the formidable World Cup semifinalists Morocco. In a balanced contest, Bafana’s determination poses a challenge. Previous encounters ended in 2-1 home wins, keeping the outcome uncertain.
The Round of 16 promises a captivating spectacle, ensuring football fans are in for a treat as the drama unfolds in the coming days.