The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) has confirmed the Round of 16 fixtures of the ongoing delayed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire following the conclusion of group stage matches on Wednesday night. The host nation, Cote d’Ivoire, who were among the four teams that sneaked into the second round in the new expanded format of the tournament, are scheduled to face defending champions Senegal in the knockouts. The Ivorian Elephants were on the verge of being sent packing in the group stages from their own tournament following a dismal run of results that saw them manage just three points to finish third in Group A behind Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria. However, the host team sailed through as one of the best third-placed teams from the group stage rankings thanks to Morocco 1-0 victory over Zambia in their last group F match Wednesday night.
The matches in the six group stages of the ongoing African Cup of Nations wrapped up on Wednesday with teams believed to be underdogs crashing out of the tournament and the least expected advancing to Round of 16. The host nation, Cote d’Ivoire completed the fourth third-place spot after Morocco beat Zambia 1-0 to maintain the Group F lead with seven points. Only one among the Northern African teams was able to make it with former Champions Algeria scooping just two points in the tournament. Tunisia also couldn’t get past the three teams in its group leading to its coach parting ways with the Carthage Eagles.
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 fixtures have been confirmed following the completion of all group matches on Wednesday night. The last 16 fixtures will begin on Saturday, January 27 and end Tuesday, January 30. Exciting matchups await football enthusiasts as the tournament moves into the knockout stage. Notable games include Nigeria facing Cameroon, Senegal taking on hosts Cote d’Ivoire, and Morocco going head-to-head with South Africa. These fixtures promise to deliver intense and captivating gameplay, showcasing the best of African football talent.
As the excitement builds for the Round of 16 matches, the stakes are higher than ever for the participating teams. The AFCON has already seen surprising outcomes, with teams defying expectations and proving their resilience on the pitch. As the competition intensifies, football fans can look forward to witnessing thrilling battles and remarkable displays of skill from some of the continent’s top footballing nations.
The Round of 16 promises to be a pivotal stage in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where teams will be vying for a coveted spot in the quarterfinals. With the conclusion of the group stage, the tournament has already provided unforgettable moments, and as the knockout phase commences, the stage is set for a new chapter in the exhilarating saga of African football.
