All articles tagged with #africa cup of nations
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has entered the knockout phase with the Round of 16 matches scheduled from January 3-6, 2026, leading up to the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final in Rabat on January 18, where the champion will be crowned.
Zinedine Zidane watched his son Luca Zidane play as Algeria's goalkeeper in their 3-0 win over Sudan in the Africa Cup of Nations, with Luca making key saves and Algeria starting the tournament strongly.
Mohammed Kudus will be available for Tottenham during the winter transfer window after Ghana's failure to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, allowing Spurs to benefit from his experience and goals in upcoming European competitions. Tottenham is actively spending around £150 million on new signings, including Kudus from West Ham, as they prepare for a busy season.
Sebastien Haller's late goal secured a 2-1 victory for Ivory Coast over Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations final, marking their third continental title. Despite Nigeria taking the lead with a goal from William Troost-Ekong, Ivory Coast equalized through Franck Kessie before Haller's decisive strike. The win completes a remarkable turnaround for Ivory Coast, who overcame early struggles in the tournament to claim victory as the host country.
The Africa Cup of Nations will conclude with hosts Ivory Coast facing former champions Nigeria in the final, with both teams aiming to secure the continental crown. Nigeria defeated Ivory Coast in the group stage, but the Ivorians have shown resilience to reach the final. Nigeria's coach is determined to win the trophy, while Ivory Coast's interim coach has revitalized the team. The final promises to be a fitting climax to an exciting tournament, with both teams eager to claim victory.
Nigeria advances to the Africa Cup of Nations final after a dramatic penalty shootout win against South Africa, with goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali emerging as the hero by saving crucial penalties. The match saw VAR interventions, disallowed goals, and a red card, ultimately leading to Nigeria's 4-2 victory in the shootout. Despite initial celebrations, a VAR review overturned a Nigeria goal, leading to a 1-1 scoreline before the shootout.
Ivory Coast's 10-man team staged a dramatic comeback in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final, equalizing in the 90th minute and then securing a 2-1 victory over Mali with a 120th-minute strike. The win, achieved despite being a man down and trailing 1-0, sends Ivory Coast to the semifinals where they will face Democratic Republic of the Congo. The team's remarkable run in the tournament has been marked by last-minute escapes and symbolic significance, playing in venues with historical and political resonance.
Ivory Coast's Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final win over Mali ended in chaos as three players were sent off and Mali players swarmed the referee, forcing him to be ushered off the pitch. Ivory Coast emerged victorious with a 2-1 win, securing a spot in the semi-finals of the tournament.
Nigeria defeated Angola 1-0 in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final, with Ademola Lookman scoring the only goal. Nigeria's solid defense secured their spot in the semi-finals for the 16th time. Despite Angola's efforts, they were unable to find the back of the net, leading to Nigeria's victory.
Mali defeated Burkina Faso 2-1 in the Africa Cup of Nations last 16 match, securing a spot in the quarter-finals for the first time in over a decade. Despite a late penalty goal by Burkina Faso, Mali's lead from an early own goal and a second goal in the second half proved to be enough. Mali will face Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals, while Burkina Faso's tournament journey comes to an end.
Franck Kessié's late penalty brings Ivory Coast back to life, eliminating defending champions Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations. Despite a recent 4-0 defeat, Ivory Coast advances to the quarter-finals, led by interim coach Emerse Faé. Sébastien Haller's impact and Kessié's crucial penalty secured the unexpected victory, marking a remarkable turnaround for the Ivorian team.
Nigeria advances to the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals after defeating Cameroon 2-0, with Ademola Lookman scoring both goals. Nigeria's solid performance was led by Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, and William Troost-Ekong, securing their third consecutive clean sheet. Cameroon's lackluster showing raises questions about their manager and team strategy. Angola also advances to the quarter-finals with a 3-0 victory over Namibia, setting up a match against Nigeria.
Andre Onana's Cameroon team was eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations after suffering a 2-0 defeat against Nigeria in the last 16, with Onana being an unused substitute in the match. Nigeria's Ademola Lookman scored both goals, securing their progression to the next round and ending Cameroon's AFCON hopes.
Ahead of the Nigeria-Cameroon match in the Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria's Moses Simon has added a personal element by trash-talking his FC Nantes teammate Jean-Charles Castelletto, stating that it will be Castelletto returning to Nantes after the match. This adds spice to the already highly anticipated game between the fierce footballing rivals, as they meet for their eighth encounter at the AFCON.
Mohamed Salah has returned to the UK for treatment on a posterior injury sustained during Egypt's match against Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations, with uncertainty surrounding his return to the national team. Initial reports suggested a shorter recovery period, but his representative later indicated a longer absence of 21-28 days. Liverpool sources aligned with this assessment, indicating Salah's likely absence for the remainder of the tournament, despite Egypt progressing to the knockout stage.