The 2026 Africa Cup of Nations has officially moved into the knockout stage following an action-packed Round of 16 that produced dramatic moments, last-minute goals, and unexpected eliminations.
Defending champions Senegal were pushed to their limits before edging past South Africa in extra time, while tournament hosts Morocco advanced comfortably with a dominant performance against Guinea. Meanwhile, Nigeria sealed their place in the quarterfinals after a tense penalty shootout victory over Algeria.
One of the tournament’s biggest shocks came as Ghana exited the competition following a narrow defeat to Cape Verde, whose disciplined defensive display frustrated the Black Stars throughout the match.
Football analysts say the Round of 16 highlighted the growing competitiveness of African football, with smaller nations demonstrating tactical maturity and physical resilience.
With the quarterfinals now confirmed, fans across the continent are anticipating high-stakes clashes as teams battle for a place in the semifinals. Tournament organisers have described attendance and global viewership figures as “record-breaking,” underscoring AFCON’s rising international profile.