The knockout stage picture for the Africa Cup of Nations has crystallised, with the last 16 bracket now largely confirmed. While one final piece of the puzzle remains, the match-ups for the first round of the knockout phase are taking shape, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the tournament.
The Confirmed Knockout Fixtures
The tournament organisers have confirmed the following fixtures for the round of 16. Mali will face Tunisia in what promises to be a fiercely contested North vs West Africa clash. Meanwhile, tournament favourites Senegal are set to play against Sudan, offering the defending champions a theoretically favourable route to advance further.
In other key matches, Egypt will meet Benin, while Morocco takes on Tanzania. A tantalising fixture sees Algeria pitted against DR Congo, a match between two former champions with rich AFCON histories. South Africa has also secured their place and will face the runner-up from the yet-to-be-decided Group F.
The Final Piece: Group F's Influence
The only uncertainty remaining centres on Group F, which has yet to conclude its final round of matches. The outcomes will determine where its three qualifying teams are slotted into the pre-drawn bracket.
The team that finishes third in Group F has a daunting task: they will face the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the last 16. For the teams finishing first and second in the group, the routes appear more balanced. Both will face what analysts consider a winnable last-16 tie, setting up a probable quarter-final confrontation with either Egypt or Morocco, two of the tournament's heavyweight sides.
Specifically, the winner of Group F will play Burkina Faso, while the runner-up will face South Africa, as the bracket dictates.
Analysis of the Quarter-Final Path
Looking ahead, the bracket reveals intriguing potential quarter-final duels. The winner of the Mali vs Tunisia tie will meet the victor of the Senegal vs Sudan match. On the other side of the draw, a clash between Egypt or Morocco and one of the Group F qualifiers looks likely.
The path to the latter stages is now clear for the continent's top teams. While Nigeria awaits a third-place finisher, the other contenders must navigate a bracket filled with traditional rivals and emerging threats. The stage is set for a dramatic and unpredictable knockout phase in this prestigious continental championship.
