Key events
Here’s how the last 16 bracket looks, with just Group F’s three qualifiers to be slotted in later. While the third-placed team will have to face Nigeria, the routes for first and second aren’t too different: a winnable last-16 tie, then probably Egypt or Morocco in the quarter-finals.
Mali v Tunisia
Senegal v Sudan
Egypt v Benin
[Winner Group F] v Burkina Faso
South Africa v [Runner-up Group F]
Morocco v Tanzania
Algeria v DR Congo
Nigeria v [third place Group F]
In Group E, Algeria were already assured of top spot but secured their third straight win, defeating Equatorial Guinea 3-1. Zineddine Belaid, Fares Chaibi and Ibrahim Maza all struck in the first half for Algeria, with Emilio Nsue getting a consolation goal for eliminated Equatorial Guinea.
In the other game, Burkina Faso sealed second place in the group with a 2-0 win over Sudan, who still go through as one of the best third-placed teams. Lassina Traore and Arsene Kouassi scored for the Stallions in Casablanca.
Team news
Gabon (4-2-3-1): Bekale; Jeremy Oyono, Mouketou-Moussounda, Omfia, Ekomie; Ndong, Lemina; Poko, Kanga, Bouanga; Averlant.
Subs: Ngoubi, Appindangoye, Anthony Oyono, Ecuele Manga, Obiang, Evouna, Loufilou, Babicka, Bocoum, Nze Bagnama, Do Marcolino, M’Bemba, Essang-Matouti, Openda, Mbaba.
Côte d’Ivoire (4-3-3): Lafont; Operi, Ousmane Diomande, Agbadou, Zohouri; Seri, Kessie, Oulai; Diakite, Krasso, Zaha.
Subs: Yahia Fofana, Konan, Seko Fofana, Kossounou, Boly, Diallo, Doue, Sangare, N’Dicka, Guessand, Toure, Gbamin, Yan Diomande, Kone.
Preamble
The group stages of Afcon 2025 come to a close tonight, with top spot in Group F still up for grabs. Côte d’Ivoire are looking to hold off Cameroon to join the other big names finishing first in their group: Morocco, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal and Algeria.
In order to do that, the Elephants need to match or better Cameroon’s result against Mozambique in tonight’s game. It helps that Gabon are already out, although pride is at stake after that unexpected 3-2 defeat to the group outsiders on Sunday.
As for Mozambique, they are already guaranteed at least a last-16 place as one of the four best third-placed sides, but could still claim top spot with a win tonight – which would certainly shake up the knockout bracket. Kick-off: 7pm (GMT).
