The group stage of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations ended on Wednesday night, setting the stage for much awaited knockout stage clashes.
Defending champions Senegal are set to face a Cote d’Ivoire. Can the Elephant be able to stop The defending champions who are yet to lose a game in this year’s AFCON.
Two African football powerhouses, Nigeria and Cameroon, will clash in a knockout stage showdown. Both teams had uneven group stage performances but remain continental giants.
In the meantime, Morocco, who topped their group without conceding a goal, will be facing an excellent South Africa side who have an identity now with an experience coach Hugo Broos.
Equatorial Guinea will be facing an equally good Guinea side. Meanwhile Namibia, making their first knockout stage appearance, will be facing Angola.
Seven time champions, Egypt’s who made a National record of drawing in all three groups stage matches will be facing a tough DR Congo side. Mali and Burkina Faso, will face each other as well as Cape Verde will also play against Mauritania in the Round 16.
Key fixtures to watch:
Nigeria vs. Cameroon
Date: Saturday, January 27
Venue: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan
Cape Verde vs. Mauritania
Date: Monday, January 29
Venue: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan
Equatorial Guinea vs. Guinea
Date: Sunday, January 28
Venue: Alassane Ouattara Stadium
Angola vs. Namibia
Date: Saturday, January 27
Venue: Stade de la paix, Bouake
Mali vs. Burkina Faso
Date: Tuesday, January 30
Venue: Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Kohorgo
Egypt vs. D.R Congo
Date: Sunday, January 28
Venue: Laurent Pokou Stadium
Senegal vs. Côte d’Ivoire
Date: Monday, January 29
Venue: Charles Konan Banny Stadium
Morocco vs. South Africa
Date: Tuesday, January 30
Venue: Laurent Pokou Stadium