It’s time to discover our last pair of quarter-finalists at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on Tuesday, with a thrilling couple of fixtures to complete the Round of 16.
Algeria boast one of only two perfect records from the Afcon group phase as they go into their last 16 tie with DR Congo in Rabat.
Attention then turns to Marrakech and a mouthwatering derby between reigning Cup of Nations champions Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, as the last eight are finalised.
*All kick off times are in Central Africa Time.
Round of 16: Algeria vs DR Congo – 18.00
A big name is guaranteed to fall in the Round of 16 on Tuesday, as Algeria and DR Congo square up at the first knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The pair will both feel aggrieved at the draw given their respective efforts in the pool phase.
Algeria won all three of their matches to top Group E, conceding just once along the way.
Riyad Mahrez scored twice before Ibrahim Maza added a late third in their comprehensive opening victory over underdogs Sudan, who had to play for more than a half with just ten men.
Former English Premier League winner Mahrez struck again from the penalty spot as the Fennecs beat Burkina Faso by the only goal, sealing qualification at the earliest opportunity inside the Stade Prince Moulay El Hassan.
He was one of nine to sit out the 3-1 win over Equatorial Guinea that completed the clean sweep, as Zineddine Belaid, Fares Chaibi and Maza had them three to the good in little over half an hour.
The Leopards also went unbeaten in Group D but were pipped to top spot by Senegal despite a 3-0 win over Botswana in the final round of fixtures.
In only matching their rivals’ result, it left them as runners-up by virtue of goal difference, after strikes from Nathanaël Mbuku and two from Gael Kakuta on a comfortable outing in Medina.
They had earlier shared the spoils with the Teranga Lions, when Cedric Bakambu’s opener was cancelled out by Sadio Mane.
An opening win over Benin, courtesy of Theo Bongonda’s early goal, set them on the right path, as they also build towards a playoff shot at qualification for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
Round of 16: Cote d’Ivoire vs Burkina Faso – 21.00
Reigning champions Cote d’Ivoire continue their bid to retain their title when they meet Burkina Faso in the Round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on Tuesday.
The neighbouring countries meet in Marrakech, with the Ivorians having come through unbeaten and unscathed from Group F.
Gabon gave them a real scare in their final pool fixture, though, taking a two-goal lead inside 21 minutes.
But Jean-Philippe Krasso tapped in from Wilfried Zaha’s delivery before Evann Guessand equalised late on, paving the way for Bazoumana Toure to complete the drama in added time and break their opponents’ hearts.
A draw with fellow heavyweights Cameroon had earlier left them in good shape, with Amad Diallo’s opener cancelled out when Ghislain Konan put through his own net five minutes later.
Diallo had already come good in their group opener with Mozambique, scoring the only goal of the game to put the Elephants on the board.
Burkina Faso sealed their runners-up spot by winning their shootout with Sudan in Casablanca.
Both nations were guaranteed progression before kick off, leaving Lassina Traore and Arsene Kouassi to score the goals for a 2-0 victory at either end of the contest.
Defeat to Algeria also saw the Stallions emerge with credit, with a Riyad Mahrez penalty the only thing to separate the two teams.
And it was a bonkers opening win over Equatorial Guinea that set the ball rolling.
Trailing the ten men deep into stoppage time, Georgi Minoungou and Edmund Tapsoba were the heroes thanks to goals in the 95th and 98th minutes at the Stade Mohammed V.
Côte d’Ivoire vs Burkina Faso
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| First to score | Côte d’Ivoire |
| Over/Under Prediction | Under 2.5 goals |
| HT/FT Prediction | Draw / Côte d’Ivoire |
| Team to score prediction | Both teams |
| Result prediction | Côte d’Ivoire to win |