After a slow start, the Africa Cup of Nations exploded into life this week with the shock elimination of Ghana and reigning champions Algeria.
It’s fair to say that the opening phase of the Cameroon staged AFCON was overshadowed by off-field matters with more focus on new COVID absentees as the action on the pitch saw slow cagey games with most contests being decided by a 1-0 scoreline.
This week, however has been a different matter with match-day three providing spills, thrills and major upsets as with leading force in Africa football, the ‘Black Stars’ of Ghana being eliminated after falling to defeat by lowly Comoros. The shock leading for calls for the Ghanaian FA to dismiss Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac.
Round of 16
The round of 16 kicks off on Sunday with Burkina Faso playing Gabon in Limbe and Nigeria up against Tunisia in Garoua.
Sierra Leone’s defeat to Equatorial Guinea saw Comoros Island to go through without kicking a ball. The island side were waiting to find out whether they would advance as one of the best third-placed finishers after their shock 3-2 win over Ghana on Tuesday and will play hosts Cameroon on Monday.
![Nigeria's Super Eagles to meet Tunisia in Round of 16 [Full Fixture] - P.M. News](https://cdn.pmnewsnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Super-Eagles--636x356.jpg)
Nigeria’s Super Eagles will next meet Cartage Eagles of Tunisia in the Round of 16 knockout stage. The match will be played in Garoua, on Sunday 23 January at 8pm.
The Nigerian team played all their group D matches at the Stade Roumdé Adjia in the town.
Nigeria topped their group winning the maximum nine points.
Tunisia qualified as the third best team from Group F in the coastal town of Limbe.
They won just a match 4-0 against Mauritania, but lost to Gambia and Mali.
The most eye-catching fixture sees the impressive Ivory Coast face seven-time winners Egypt on 26 January in Douala.
The quarter-final stage of AFCON commences on 29 January.
Equatorial Guinea player dey celebrate dia qualification
Round of 16 Games:
23 January: Burkina Faso-Gabon (11:00)* (all times ET)
23 January: Nigeria-Tunisia (14:00) 8pm NT
24 January: Guinea-Gambia (11:00) 5pm NT
24 January: Cameroon-Comoros (14:00) 8pm NT
25 January: Senegal-Cape Verde (11:00) 5pm NT
25 January: Morocco-Malawi (14:00) 8pm NT
26 January: Ivory Coast-Egypt (11:00) 5pm NT
26 January: Mali-Equatorial Guines (14:00) 8pm NT
