AFCON 2025
AFCON 2025 Round of 16 Fixtures Confirmed as Group Stage Ends in Morocco
The stage is set for an exciting knockout phase at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, as the Round of 16 fixtures have been officially confirmed, following the conclusion of an action-packed group stage across all six groups.
At the end of the group phase, the top two teams from each of the six groups booked automatic qualification to the Round of 16, with the final four slots decided by the best third-placed teams, in line with the tournament format introduced since AFCON expanded to 24 teams.
Hosts Morocco finished top of Group A with seven points, while Mali progressed as runners-up. Although Comoros finished third in the group, their two points and inferior overall ranking meant they narrowly missed out on qualification, underlining how tight the margins were across the groups.
In Group B, seven-time champions Egypt led the standings ahead of South Africa, while Angola, despite finishing third, did not accumulate enough points to rank among the best four third-placed sides. Zimbabwe exited the competition after finishing bottom of the group.
Group C saw Nigeria deliver one of the most dominant group-stage performances in recent AFCON history, winning all three matches to finish with a perfect nine points. Tunisia followed in second place, while Tanzania finished third and Uganda ended their campaign in fourth position. Despite having the same number of points as other third-placed teams elsewhere, Tanzania advanced on the goals scored tie-breaker, a decisive factor that ultimately kept their AFCON dream alive.
In Group D, Senegal and DR Congo both ended with seven points, with Senegal topping the group on goal difference. Benin, who finished third, secured one of the four best third-placed slots thanks to their superior overall record, while Botswana exited the tournament without a point.
Group E was dominated by Algeria, who won all three matches to underline their status as former champions. Burkina Faso followed in second place, while Sudan, finishing third, accumulated enough points to progress as one of the best third-placed teams.
In Group F, defending champions Côte d’Ivoire and five-time winners Cameroon both finished on seven points to advance automatically, while Mozambique, despite finishing third, completed the list of best third-placed teams to qualify for the Round of 16.
The Round of 16 action begins on January 3, with Senegal facing Sudan and Mali taking on Tunisia. On January 4, hosts Morocco meet Tanzania, while South Africa clash with Cameroon. The knockout matches continue on January 5, as Egypt face Benin and Nigeria square off against Mozambique, before the final Round of 16 fixtures on January 6, which see Algeria battle DR Congo and Côte d’Ivoire take on Burkina Faso.
With the group stage now behind them, the tournament moves into its most unforgiving phase, where every mistake could be decisive. As Morocco provides the stage for the knockout rounds, past champions, continental heavyweights, and ambitious challengers will all be chasing a place in the quarterfinals and a step closer to African football’s ultimate prize.
Morocco national football team have been officially declared winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football overturned the result of their final defeat to Senegal national football team following a controversial incident during the match.
Senegal had initially been crowned champions after edging Morocco 1-0 in the final played on January 18. The match, however, was overshadowed by a dramatic moment late in regulation time when Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty with the score still level.
READ MORE : Otto Addo names Ghana squad for Austria and Germany friendlies; Asare only local player, Ayew omitted
In protest, Senegalese players briefly left the pitch, halting proceedings for about 17 minutes. After intervention, they returned to continue the match. Brahim Diaz stepped up to take the penalty but saw his effort saved. The game eventually went into extra time, where Pape Gueye scored what appeared to be the winning goal for Senegal.
READ MORE : “I am really proud to play for Ghana” – Derrick Arthur Köhn on Ghana call-up
Following the match, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation lodged an official protest, which CAF later confirmed was admissible and subsequently upheld after a detailed review.
In its ruling, CAF stated that Senegal, “through the conduct of its team,” breached Article 82 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations. The governing body further noted that this violation triggered the application of Article 84.
According to Article 82, any team that refuses to continue play or leaves the field before the end of regulation time without the referee’s approval is considered to have lost the match and is subject to elimination. Article 84 reinforces this by stipulating that such a team forfeits the match and it is awarded as a 3-0 victory to the opposing side.
READ MORE : Otto Addo names Ghana squad for Austria and Germany friendlies; Asare only local player, Ayew omitted
Based on these provisions, CAF ruled that Senegal forfeited the final, with the result officially recorded as a 3-0 win in favour of Morocco.
The decision brings a dramatic and controversial end to the tournament, with Morocco now confirmed as AFCON 2025 champions following one of the most disputed finals in recent memory.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has announced its decision to appeal disciplinary sanctions handed down by the Confederation of African Football in the final against Senegal.
Morocco lost in extra-time through Papa Gueye goal but there was a 14-minute stoppage disruption followed a walk-off by Senegalese players after referee Jean-Jacques Ndala disallowed their goal and subsequently awarded Morocco a penalty, triggering a pitch invasion by supporters and confrontations involving players and match officials.
In the end, CAF’s Disciplinary Committee imposed heavy sanctions, including a five-match ban and a $100,000 fine on Senegal coach Pape Thiaw. Senegal’s football federation was also fined $615,000 for the conduct of players and fans, while Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr received two-match bans for unsporting behaviour toward the referee.
READ MORE :MTN FA Cup R16 : Kotoko, Aduana set for showdown, others feature.
Morocco were not spared. CAF rejected their request to overturn the match result and imposed fines totalling $315,000, citing misconduct by players, staff, and supporters. Captain Achraf Hakimi received a two-match ban, one suspended for a year, while Ismael Saibari was banned for three games, following an incident involving Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
READ MORE : Exclusive : Maxwell Abbey Quaye seals move to Saudi club, Al Jeel
The FRMF said they will appeal the sanctions.
The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has imposed a series of disciplinary sanctions on the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) and the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) following incidents that occurred during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 final.
In a statement published on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, CAF confirmed that its Disciplinary Board reviewed reports from the final and found multiple violations of the CAF Disciplinary Code involving players, officials, and supporters from both nations.
READ MORE : CAF Hands Heavy Sanctions to Senegal and Morocco After AFCON 2025 Final Incidents
Sanctions Against Senegal
The CAF Disciplinary Board issued several punishments to the Senegalese Football Federation, targeting both individuals and the federation itself.
Senegal head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw was handed a five-match suspension from official CAF competitions for unsporting conduct deemed to have brought the game into disrepute. He was also fined USD 100,000.
Two Senegalese players, Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, were each suspended for two CAF matches for unsporting behaviour directed at match officials.
CAF further fined the FSF a total of USD 615,000, broken down into penalties for improper supporter conduct, unsporting behaviour by players and technical staff, and team misconduct following the accumulation of five cautions during the match.
READ MORE : Exclusive : Richardson Takyi joins Inter Ibiza
Sanctions Against Morocco
The Moroccan Football Federation was also sanctioned following a series of incidents during the final.
Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi received a two-match suspension, with one match suspended for a probationary period of one year, for unsporting behaviour. Midfielder Ismaël Saibari was suspended for three CAF matches and fined USD 100,000.
CAF imposed additional fines on the FRMF, including USD 200,000 for the inappropriate conduct of stadium ball boys, USD 100,000 for the invasion of the VAR review area by players and officials, and USD 15,000 for the use of laser pointers by supporters.
READ MORE : Breaking News : Kasim Mingle joins Swedru All Blacks as headcoach
Protest Rejected
CAF also addressed a formal protest submitted by the Moroccan Football Federation, which alleged violations by Senegal under Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON Regulations. After review, the Disciplinary Board rejected the protest, ruling that it lacked sufficient grounds.
The sanctions underscore CAF’s commitment to enforcing discipline, fair play, and integrity, particularly during high-profile matches such as the Africa Cup of Nations final.
-
FIFA U17 Women's World Cup20 hours agoNigeria make history as first African Nation to win FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup
-
FIFA U17 Women's World Cup19 hours agoBelinda Maku Aklie marks return to Cabfix Ladies with clean sheet after World Cup assignment
-
FIFA U17 Women's World Cup7 days agoFIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup: Ghana exit after 1-0 quarter-final defeat to Japan as defenders impress
-
FIFA U17 Women's World Cup4 days agoFIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup: Nigeria make history as first African finalists
-
FIFA U17 Women's World Cup5 days agoNigeria fly African flag as 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup reaches semi-final stage