Trending 
A host of African football stars, led by Achraf Hakimi, Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen, turn their attention to knockout football from Saturday as the Africa Cup of Nations enters the second round in Morocco.
Hakimi, the Paris Saint-Germain defender, was named African Player of the Year for 2025 in November. Salah and Osimhen finished second and third in the voting.
After 36 group matches across six groups, 16 teams have progressed from the original 24. They will compete in eight knockout matches over four days, with places in the quarter-finals at stake. The eventual winner will earn a record $10 million prize.
Tournament hosts Morocco, led by a fully fit Hakimi, face Tanzania. Salah is set to captain Egypt against Benin, while Osimhen’s Nigeria take on Mozambique.
Here is a look at the key second-round match-ups.
Senegal v Sudan
Defending champions Senegal topped Group D to underline their status as title contenders. Veteran forward Sadio Mane and teenage Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye have impressed.
Sudan reached the knockout stage despite failing to score in the group phase, advancing after an own-goal victory over Equatorial Guinea.
Mali v Tunisia
Mali drew all three Group A matches, prompting coach Tom Saintfiet to warn that the team must improve. Tunisia showed resilience by holding Morocco but struggled badly against Nigeria before a late fightback that nearly produced a draw.
Morocco v Tanzania
Morocco enters as the strong favourites, sitting far above Tanzania in the world rankings. The hosts last won the tournament 50 years ago. Tanzania reached the knockout round for the first time in 45 years after two draws.
Morocco’s attack includes Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi, both joint top scorers.
South Africa v Cameroon
South Africa stunned Cameroon 3-0 in their AFCON debut 30 years ago, but this meeting is expected to be far closer. South Africa will rely on Oswin Appollis and Lyle Foster, while Cameroon’s teenage striker Christian Kofane scored a decisive goal against Mozambique.
Egypt v Benin
Salah has rediscovered his scoring touch in the tournament, netting late winners against Zimbabwe and South Africa to help Egypt top Group B. Benin secured their first AFCON win in 25 years by beating Botswana.
Veteran striker Steve Mounie leads a disciplined side that lacks attacking firepower.
Nigeria v Mozambique
Osimhen has been a constant threat in the air and could have scored more during the group stage. Fellow former African Player of the Year Ademola Lookman has also stood out.
Mozambique, beaten 3-0 by Nigeria at the 2009 AFCON, may pose a more formidable challenge this time, with striker Geny Catamo offering pace and danger.
Algeria v DR Congo
This clash between two former champions is seen as one of the round’s ties. It is also the only matchup featuring two European coaches. Algeria were one of only two teams to win all three group matches, with captain Riyad Mahrez leading by example.
Ivory Coast v Burkina Faso
The only regional derby of the round pits West African neighbours against each other. Defending champions Ivory Coast will look to Amad Diallo, who won two player-of-the-match awards in the group stage.
Burkina Faso will rely on the defensive strength of Edmond Tapsoba and Issoufou Dayo.
The winners of these ties will move into the quarter-finals and one step closer to lifting the trophy in Morocco.
