By Kunle Solaja, Casablanca, enroute Tangiers

Seven-time champions Senegal national football team will put their pedigree and title ambitions on the line when they clash with the Sudan national football team in the Round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations at the imposing Grande Stade de Tanger.

On paper, it is a classic mismatch. Senegal, champions of the 2021 edition and among the continent’s elite, arrive as overwhelming favourites. Sudan, ranked 117th in the world and contesting their first knockout match at the Africa Cup of Nations in 14 years, carries the underdog tag — but also the freedom that comes with having little to lose.

The encounter pits pedigree against perseverance. Senegal have been one of the most complete teams at the tournament, blending physical authority with tactical discipline.

Their group-stage run was emphatic, capped by a commanding 3–0 victory over Benin, and they remain unbeaten as they enter the knockout phase.

With a squad shaped by repeated deep runs at major tournaments, the Teranga Lions are expected to control proceedings through midfield dominance, purposeful wing play and a defence that has rarely looked vulnerable.

Sudan’s journey has been markedly different but no less compelling. Qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams was itself a triumph, achieved against the backdrop of political turmoil and conflict at home.

Their campaign has been built on organisation, collective belief and sheer resilience. Compact in shape and tireless in effort, the Falcons have shown a willingness to suffer without the ball, frustrate opponents and strike through set-pieces or swift transitions.

For Senegal, patience will be crucial. Sudan are likely to sit deep and defend in numbers, forcing the favourites to probe carefully rather than chase early breakthroughs.

Precision in the final third and composure under pressure will be essential, particularly if the game stretches into its later stages, where Senegal’s experience in managing knockout football could prove decisive.

Sudan’s hopes rest on maintaining defensive concentration and seizing rare opportunities. An early goal or a sustained spell of pressure could ignite belief and turn the contest into a test of Senegal’s nerve. Any lapse, however, risks swift punishment from a side brimming with quality and confidence.

Tangier’s cool evening conditions and the fast surface at the Ibn Batouta Stadium are expected to favour Senegal’s tempo-based approach, but Sudan will draw strength from their underdog status and the absence of expectation. For them, this match represents more than football — it is a statement of resilience and national pride.

With a quarter-final place at stake, the clash promises a familiar Africa Cup of Nations narrative: a continental heavyweight seeking authority against a disciplined outsider daring to extend a memorable run.

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As the Super Eagles head into the knockout phase of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on the back of a flawless group-stage campaign, Goldberg Lager Beer has unveiled a new television commercial celebrating Nigeria’s deep-rooted football passion and the shared rhythm that unites fans across the country.

Nigeria won all three group matches to finish top of their section, rekindling optimism among supporters and setting up a Round of 16 match against Mozambique’s Mambas.

With expectations rising, Goldberg’s new television commercial positions the brand at the intersection of football excellence and the vibrant fan culture that has long defined the Super Eagles’ journey.

Built around Goldberg’s Our Beat, Our Gold campaign, the commercial draws inspiration from everyday match-day moments familiar to Nigerian fans.

From neighbourhood viewing centres and street corners to living rooms and bars, the TVC captures how football weaves itself into daily life — with Goldberg portrayed as a natural companion to those shared experiences.

Rather than focusing solely on goals and match highlights, the film places the spotlight on the fans themselves — their chants, banter, rituals and collective emotions as they follow the Super Eagles. It reflects the belief that Nigerian football is not just about what happens on the pitch, but about the passion and togetherness that surround every game.

“As the Super Eagles move into the knockout phase, this campaign is our way of celebrating the people who have carried the team with their energy from the group stage,” said Kunle Aroyehun, Senior Brand Manager for Goldberg.
“Goldberg has always stood for pride, culture and shared moments. This film shows how football, especially when the Super Eagles are playing, brings Nigerians together in a way nothing else does.”

The timing of the commercial aligns with growing national excitement as Nigeria prepare to face Mozambique in the Round of 16. After three wins from three group games, confidence is high, and Goldberg’s message is clear: every cheer, every gathering and every shared moment matters.

As the Official Beer and Sponsor of the Super Eagles, Goldberg’s connection to Nigerian football runs deep. Since Nigerian Breweries Plc signed its partnership with the Nigeria Football Federation in February 2018, the brand has played a visible role in galvanising fans and building one of the strongest national team followings on the continent.

According to Aroyehun, the new television commercial reflects that long-standing commitment. “This is not about a single match or result,” he said.

“It’s about a relationship with the fans that has grown over time. As the Super Eagles chase another win in the knockout stage, Goldberg will continue to be part of those moments — the anticipation, the tension and the celebration.”

The commercial is running across television and digital platforms throughout the knockout phase, ensuring a wide reach as Nigeria’s AFCON journey continues. For Goldberg, the film reinforces its position not just as a sponsor but as a brand that understands and celebrates the rhythm of Nigerian football culture.

As the Super Eagles prepare to take on Mozambique’s Mambas with a place in the quarter-finals at stake, Goldberg’s message resonates clearly: when Nigerians come together to support their team, that shared passion is gold.

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By Kunle Solaja.

No fewer than 11 former champions are among the 16 teams still standing at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, underlining how decisively pedigree and experience have shaped the knockout bracket of this year’s tournament.

After group-stage action concluded on Wednesday, only one previous winner — Zambia — failed to survive the first hurdle. The rest of Africa’s royalty marched on, ensuring that the race for the continental crown will now be fought largely among familiar heavyweights rather than surprise packages.

The outcome contrasts sharply with recent editions, where giant-killings and shock finalists became the norm. In Morocco 2025, form has largely prevailed, assembling a last-16 cast dominated by champions past and present.

Only Mozambique and Tanzania are experiencing the knockout rounds for the first time, advancing as two of the best third-placed teams, while Sudan have reached this stage for just the second time since lifting the trophy in 1970.

Beyond that trio, the field is stacked with experience: Africa’s top 12-ranked teams are all through, including seven nations already bound for the World Cup later this year.

The knockout phase begins on Saturday in Tangier with second-ranked Senegal facing Sudan. Senegal topped their group only on goal difference ahead of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and will have to navigate the tie without suspended captain Kalidou Koulibaly. Even so, their squad depth mirrors that of several other title contenders who were able to rotate players after sealing qualification early.

Tournament hosts Morocco enter the knockout rounds carrying both momentum and expectation. A convincing 3–0 win over Zambia in their final group match eased concerns after two nervy performances and restored belief among home supporters.

Ranked number one in Africa and semi-finalists at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Morocco have long been viewed as favourites. Coach Walid Regragui acknowledged the heightened stakes ahead of Sunday’s Round-of-16 clash with Tanzania in Rabat.

“From now on, every game is a cup final,” he reportedly said.

Only two teams completed the group stage with perfect records — Nigeria and Algeria. Nigeria are widely expected to progress against Mozambique on Monday, but it is Algeria’s meeting with DR Congo on Tuesday in Rabat that has already captured the imagination.

The tie pits two former champions with contrasting styles and ambitions, and is widely regarded as the most intriguing fixture of the Round of 16.

“It’s going to be a big match,” said Algeria defender Mehdi Dorval after Wednesday’s win over Equatorial Guinea. “The key will be mental, because they are a big team and so are we.”

With 11 past winners still in contention, the Africa Cup of Nations has reached a decisive phase where history, depth and nerve may prove just as important as flair — and where every remaining match carries the weight of champions past and present.

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