Welcome to our live coverage as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, being played in 2026, moves into its knockout phase. The focus tonight is on the last-16 encounter between Mali and Tunisia at Casablanca's Mohammed V Stadium.
Tournament Enters Knockout Phase
The round of 16 is now underway, marking a decisive new chapter in the competition. While Senegal and Sudan contested the first knockout match earlier today, all attention now turns to this evening's fixture in Morocco. The stakes are immeasurably higher, with defeat meaning instant elimination from the tournament.
Group Stage Form Sets the Scene
Neither side set the group stages alight, but both did enough to progress. Mali finished second in their group after drawing all three of their matches, showcasing a stubborn resilience but perhaps a lack of cutting edge. Tunisia also secured a runner-up spot, with their sole victory a 3-1 win against Uganda in their opening game.
Collectively, the two teams managed just one win from six group outings. Their only defeat came for Tunisia, who were edged out 3-2 by one of the tournament favourites, Nigeria. This shared history of cautious, low-yield football suggests a potentially tight and tactical affair under the Casablanca lights.
Kick-Off Time and Venue
The match is scheduled for a 7pm GMT (8pm local time) start. The historic Mohammed V Stadium provides the stage for what promises to be a tense and closely-fought contest. In the unpredictable theatre of AFCON, however, anything can happen once the whistle blows.
With the group stage safety net gone, both managers will be demanding a shift in mentality. Mali will aim to turn their draws into a winning performance, while Tunisia will hope to recapture the form that saw them defeat Uganda. The journey to continental glory continues for one nation tonight, and ends for the other.
