The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 has entered its decisive phase, with the Round of 16 under way and the first teams already through to the quarter-finals.
With the tournament now in straight knockout mode, early results have underlined the fine margins of AFCON football and the strength of the leading contenders. Four nations have so far kept their title hopes alive.
Senegal were the first to book a place in the last eight, extending their impressive run with victory over Sudan. Mali followed after a dramatic penalty shootout win against Tunisia, achieved despite playing much of the match with ten men.
Hosts Morocco advanced with a controlled 1–0 win over Tanzania in Rabat, courtesy of a decisive Brahim Díaz strike, while five-time champions Cameroon joined them after edging South Africa 2–1 in a tense encounter.
The results have set up a blockbuster quarter-final showdown between Cameroon and Morocco, while Senegal and Mali will also face off for a place in the semi-finals.
Attention now turns to the remaining Round of 16 fixtures, with Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria and defending champions Côte d’Ivoire all still in action as the final quarter-final places are decided.
The quarter-finals will be played on 9 and 10 January, with the final scheduled for 18 January in Rabat, as AFCON 2025 continues its march toward a new African champion.
