With the curtain falling on the exciting group stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations , the eyes of football fans now turn to Morocco, where the decisive knockout rounds kick off next Saturday. This edition appears exceptional by all accounts, characterized by a return to "footballing logic" and the dominance of the continent's powerhouses, unlike the last three editions which witnessed footballing upheavals and stunning upsets that saw the continent's giants eliminated early.
Historical dominance and the return of giants
The conclusion of the first round provided a strong indication of the tournament's high technical level, with only Zambia, the former champions, being eliminated. Eleven other African champions secured their places in the round of 16. This overwhelming presence of the continent's elite promises high-caliber tactical and physical battles, reminiscent of the classic rivalries between different schools of African football (North Africa, West Africa, and Central Africa).
In a related context, the international rankings proved their accuracy in this edition, as the teams ranked among the top 12 continentally qualified, including seven teams that are steadily progressing towards the 2026 World Cup. Despite this dominance, teams like Mozambique and Tanzania managed to break the mold and qualify as one of the best third-placed teams, while the Sudanese national team (the Falcons of Jediane) achieved a remarkable feat by advancing beyond the first round for only the second time since their historic and only victory in 1970, adding a special flavor and historical depth to the competition.
Anticipated confrontations and real tests
The round of 16 kicks off with a highly anticipated match at the Grand Stade de Tanger, pitting Senegal against Sudan. The "Lions of Teranga," ranked second in Africa, enter the match with key absences, most notably captain Kalidou Koulibaly due to suspension. However, their bench, brimming with stars plying their trade in European leagues, gives Senegal a theoretical advantage. Meanwhile, Sudan will rely on their fighting spirit and organized defense to pull off an upset.
Morocco: Home ground, home crowd, and title aspirations
Under the spotlight is the Moroccan national team, playing on home soil, who topped their group with a convincing 3-0 victory over Zambia. Despite criticism of their early performances due to immense psychological pressure, the "Atlas Lions" remain the favorites, bolstered by their historic achievement at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Coach Walid Regragui summed up the situation before the match against Tanzania in Rabat with a statement that puts everyone in their place: "From now on, every match is a cup final," indicating that mistakes are no longer acceptable.
Early summits: Algeria and Nigeria
On the other hand, Algeria and Nigeria sent a strong warning to their rivals by achieving a perfect record in the group stage. While the "Super Eagles" have a relatively easy path against Mozambique, the "Desert Warriors" face a tough match against the Democratic Republic of Congo. Regarding this upcoming clash, Algerian defender Mehdi Durval stated that "the outcome will be mental," reflecting an awareness of the difficulty of the knockout rounds.
In conclusion, with the completion of the list of qualifiers, the African continent enters the “breaking bone” stage, where technical differences fade in the face of desire and psychological preparation, and small details become the dividing line between continuing the continental dream or packing up early.
