AFCON 2025: Algeria face DR Congo as Ivory Coast take on Burkina Faso in final round of 16 games

The Round of 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 reaches its conclusion on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, with two high-profile encounters set to decide the final teams advancing to the quarter-finals.

The footballing action across Moroccan venues promises drama, intensity and high stakes as the knockout phase nears its climax.

The day begins in Rabat, where Algeria lock horns with the Democratic Republic of Congo at the Prince Moulay Hassan Stadium in a 5:00 PM kickoff. With qualification on the line, the encounter presents a stern test of character, discipline and tactical execution for both sides.

Algeria, known as the Desert Foxes, approach the tie buoyed by an impressive group-stage campaign that saw them collect maximum points. The Greens opened with a commanding 3-0 victory over Sudan, edged past Burkina Faso 1-0 and sealed top spot with a 3-1 win over Equatorial Guinea using a largely rotated squad.

The flawless run marked a significant turnaround for a side that had suffered early exits in the last two AFCON editions following their 2019 triumph.

Despite their momentum, Algeria are fully aware that the knockout stage brings a different level of challenge, particularly against a physically strong and tactically disciplined Congolese team. Head coach Vladimir Petkovic will also have to cope without defender Gueye Hadjam, whose injury has ruled him out for the remainder of the tournament.

The Democratic Republic of Congo arrive with confidence of their own after a solid group-stage performance. The Leopards secured progression with a convincing 3-0 win over Botswana in their final match, having earlier defeated Benin and drawn with Senegal. Those results ensured a fourth consecutive Round of 16 appearance, underlining their growing consistency on the continental stage.

DR Congo will be aiming to replicate their run from the 2024 edition, where they reached the semi-finals, even as they acknowledge the difficulty of facing an experienced Algerian side.

Attention then shifts to Marrakech for the evening fixture, where defending champions Ivory Coast take on Burkina Faso at the Grand Stadium at 8:00 PM in a fiercely contested West African derby. The match brings together two familiar rivals with a history of closely fought encounters.

Ivory Coast progressed from the group stage unbeaten, recording two wins and a draw as they continue their title defence. Their resilience was on full display in the final group match, where they overturned a two-goal deficit against Gabon to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory, highlighting their fighting spirit and ability to respond under pressure.

The Elephants boast an impressive recent record, with just one defeat in their last ten matches across all competitions. Nevertheless, they remain cautious, mindful that recent Round of 16 outings have been decided by penalty shootouts, reinforcing the unpredictable nature of knockout football.

Burkina Faso, meanwhile, enter the contest determined to defy the odds. Although they have never lifted the AFCON trophy, the Stallions have become regulars in the knockout rounds, reaching this stage in five of their last six tournament appearances. After suffering a group-stage defeat to Algeria, they regained confidence with a crucial victory over Sudan, a result that restored belief ahead of this decisive clash.

Tuesday’s fixtures are set to draw the curtain on the Round of 16 and usher in the quarter-final phase, as AFCON 2025 continues to deliver thrilling contests.