By Kunle Solaja.

Nigeria closed the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations as the competition’s most lethal attacking force, underlining their title credentials with a tournament-high eight goals after three matches.

The Super Eagles not only outscored every other team in the group phase but also matched Algeria as the only sides to record a perfect haul of three wins from three matches, setting a strong benchmark ahead of the knockout rounds.

Nigeria’s attacking output placed them clear at the top of the scoring charts, ahead of Senegal and Algeria, who both finished the group stage with seven goals apiece.

While several teams relied on narrow wins and defensive solidity, Nigeria consistently combined pace, width and directness to overwhelm opponents, producing goals across all three matches.

Algeria, equally impressive in efficiency and control, mirrored Nigeria’s flawless record, winning all three of their group games while also maintaining a strong goal return.

Senegal’s seven goals, meanwhile, reflected their own attacking depth, even though they fell just short of a perfect points tally.

Across the tournament, the expanded 24-team format once again delivered drama. Still, Nigeria’s consistency in front of goal stood out in a group stage often characterised by tight margins and nervy finishes.

While other favourites were occasionally dragged into scrappy encounters, the Super Eagles found ways to score early, respond under pressure and close out matches.

The group phase concluded with traditional heavyweights largely progressing to the Round of 16. Still, Nigeria’s statistical dominance — leading the goals chart and posting maximum points — has marked them out as one of the most convincing performers so far.

As the competition now moves into the knockout stage, the emphasis will shift from accumulation to survival. Yet, if the group stage is any indication, Nigeria’s attacking firepower, allied to their perfect record, makes them one of the teams everyone else will be keen to avoid as AFCON 2025 enters its decisive phase.

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By Kunle Solaja.

The stage is set for high-stakes football as the Round of 16 fixtures of the Africa Cup of Nations were confirmed following a thrilling and fiercely contested group stage that once again showcased the depth and quality of African football.

The first knockout phase will be played from Saturday, 3 January to Tuesday, 6 January, with two matches scheduled each day at 17h00 local time (16h00 GMT) and 20h00 local time (19h00 GMT). Sixteen nations remain in the hunt, each now just one win away from a place in the quarter-finals.

The knockout action begins on Saturday in Tangier, where reigning 2021 champions Senegal face Sudan at the Grand Stade de Tangier. Later that evening, Mali take on Tunisia at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca, with Mali chasing a first continental crown and Tunisia hoping to rekindle memories of their 2004 triumph.

Sunday shifts the spotlight to the hosts as Morocco face Tanzania at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.

Morocco, topping Group A, will be buoyed by strong home support as they pursue a first AFCON title in half a century, while Tanzania arrive as one of the best third-placed qualifiers from Group C. Later that night, South Africa meet Cameroon at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat, a tie that reunites coach Hugo Broos with the side he guided to the title in 2017.

Monday’s fixtures feature Africa’s most decorated side, Egypt, who face Benin at the Grand Stade de Agadir. The seven-time champions are seeking to end a title drought stretching back to 2010.

Later in Fès, one of the tournament’s most impressive teams, Nigeria, will take on Mozambique as the Super Eagles look to improve on their runner-up finish at the 2023 edition.

The Round of 16 concludes on Tuesday in Rabat, where Algeria face the Democratic Republic of Congo at the Stade Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan.

The final quarter-final ticket will be decided later that night in Marrakech when defending champions Côte d’Ivoire clash with Burkina Faso.

The quarter-finals are scheduled for 9–10 January, with the final set for 18 January at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat. With reputations on the line and no room for error, AFCON 2025 now moves decisively into its most unforgiving and captivating phase.

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By Kunle Solaja.

The group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations came to a thrilling conclusion on Tuesday night, living up to the tournament’s long-standing reputation for late drama, fine margins and unexpected twists.

After three rounds of matches played across Morocco, the 24-team field has been reduced to 16, with Africa’s traditional powers largely securing safe passage to the knockout rounds, while several ambitious outsiders also kept their dreams alive as the best third-placed finishers.

Nigeria, Egypt and Algeria were among the earliest teams to confirm qualification, each winning their opening two matches to remove pressure from the final round.

The Super Eagles topped Group C with a perfect record, combining attacking fluency with just enough resilience to navigate nervy moments, while Egypt’s experience again proved decisive in tight encounters. Algeria, disciplined and efficient, also advanced without needing favours from other results.

Hosts Morocco negotiated the weight of expectation with composure, finishing top of their group after handling varied tactical tests and difficult weather conditions, including matches played under persistent rain that challenged both pitch and players.

As ever, the final group matches delivered tension. Several teams entered the last day knowing a single goal could swing qualification hopes.

Simultaneous kick-offs heightened the drama, with late goals, red cards and frantic finishes reshaping standings almost by the minute. In the end, goal difference and head-to-head records proved decisive for some, while others were left ruing missed chances.

The expanded format again gave life to the race for the best third-placed teams, allowing nations such as Mozambique and others to sneak into the Round of 16 despite finishing outside the automatic qualification spots.

For some debutants and returning sides, simply surviving the group phase marked a significant milestone.

The group stage also produced notable individual moments: milestone goals, standout goalkeeping displays, and a handful of unwanted records, including rare disciplinary and substitution scenarios that underlined the tournament’s unpredictability.

With the group phase complete, attention now shifts to the knockout rounds, where margins tighten, and history often weighs heavily. Traditional rivalries are set to be renewed, while underdogs will look to extend their fairytale runs.

If the opening phase is any guide, AFCON 2025 promises even greater drama as the competition moves into its decisive stages — where reputations are tested, and Africa’s next champion begins to emerge.

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