AFCON Round of 16: Nigeria Await Best Third-Placed Team in Groups A, B or F

AFCON Round of 16: Nigeria Await Best Third-Placed Team in Groups A, B or F

By Niyi Busari 

 Super Eagles are set to face either Mozambique, Zambia or Angola in the Round of 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

With six points from their opening two matches, the Super Eagles are strong favourites to finish top of Group C. They conclude their group campaign against Uganda on Tuesday, December 30, needing only to avoid defeat to secure first place.

Under the AFCON competition format, the top two teams from each of the six groups qualify automatically for the knockout stage, alongside the four best third-placed teams, completing the Round of 16 line-up.

According to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) fixtures, Nigeria, as Group C winners, will face one of the best-performing third-placed teams from Groups A, B or F. The Round of 16 encounter is scheduled to take place at the Fez Stadium on January 5, 2026, with kick-off set for 8:00 pm.

The teams currently in contention to finish as the best third-placed sides and potentially face Nigeria are Mozambique, Zambia and Angola. Zambia sit third in Group A with two points from two matches, while Angola are third in Group B with one point. In Group F, Mozambique occupy third place with three points.

Mozambique require at least a draw in their final group match against Cameroon on December 29 to secure qualification for the knockout stage. Zambia face a tougher task, needing a victory against tournament hosts and title favourites Morocco to keep their hopes alive. Meanwhile, Angola must defeat Egypt in their final group fixture to stand a chance of progressing.