Two African footballing giants, Cameroon and South Africa, are set for a monumental battle in the round of 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations tonight. The high-stakes encounter at the Al Barid Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, will decide which nation advances to the tournament's quarter-finals.
Contrasting Histories Collide
The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon are the competition's second-most successful side, having lifted the trophy five times. Despite this pedigree, their performances in the group stage this year have been viewed as unconvincing, even though they remain unbeaten. They boast Premier League talent like Bryan Mbeumo and Carlos Baleba, yet are not currently considered among the top favourites.
Their opponents, South Africa's Bafana Bafana, are historically seen as under-achievers at the Afcon, with their sole triumph coming in 1996. However, their recent form suggests a tough challenge. They finished second in Group B and pushed Egypt close in a tight match, proving their capability to compete with the continent's elite.
Head-to-Head and Current Form
Historical data gives South Africa a slight edge in previous meetings, with three wins, five draws, and just one defeat to Cameroon. The teams last met almost a decade ago, playing out a goalless draw in 2016.
Current form is remarkably even. In the group stages, South Africa won two of their three matches, while Cameroon won two and drew one. Bafana Bafana also have a marginally better goal difference, having scored five and conceded two, compared to Cameroon's four scored and three conceded.
Afcon 2026 Round of 16 Fixtures
The action continues over the coming days with a full slate of knockout matches:
- Sunday, 4 January 2026: Morocco v Tanzania (4:00 PM); South Africa v Cameroon (7:00 PM).
- Monday, 5 January 2026: Egypt v Benin (4:00 PM); Nigeria v Mozambique (7:00 PM).
- Tuesday, 6 January 2026: Algeria v DR Congo (4:00 PM); Ivory Coast v Burkina Faso (7:00 PM).
The winner of tonight's clash will earn a quarter-final tie against either Morocco or Tanzania, setting up another potential classic in this unpredictable tournament.
