By Francis Onyach - Reporter
Kenya, January 3 2026 - The Africa Cup of Nations knockout stage gets underway with two intriguing fixtures, as Senegal takes on Sudan in the first Round of 16 match, before Mali faces Tunisia later in the day in what promises to be a tightly contested encounter.
Senegal enters the playoffs full of confidence after finishing top of their group with an unbeaten record. The Teranga Lions showed both defensive solidity and attacking efficiency in the group stage, conceding few chances while maintaining control in midfield through the experience of players such as Idrissa Gana Gueye and the creativity of Sadio Mané. Their clash against Sudan marks the opening game of the knockout phase, with Senegal widely viewed as favourites but wary of underestimating their opponents.
Sudan, meanwhile, progressed to the last 16 after a disciplined group-stage campaign that relied heavily on organisation and resilience. Although they were not among the tournament’s highest scorers, Sudan impressed with their work rate and compact defensive approach, qualities that could test Senegal’s patience. For Sudan, the match represents an opportunity to cause an upset and make history on the continental stage.
Later in the day, attention will turn to the meeting between Mali and Tunisia, a fixture that is expected to be far more evenly balanced. Mali reached the knockout rounds after a series of draws in the group stage, showing consistency but lacking a cutting edge in front of goal. Their strength has been in midfield control and defensive discipline, with players like Yves Bissouma providing stability.
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Tunisia, on the other hand, progressed after a mixed group-stage performance but remains one of Africa’s most experienced tournament sides. The Carthage Eagles are known for their tactical discipline and ability to manage knockout football, qualities that often come to the fore in high-pressure matches.
With the margin for error now gone, both fixtures are expected to be intense and tactical, as teams aim to secure a place in the quarter-finals. As AFCON moves into its decisive phase, fans across the continent will be watching closely to see whether favourites assert themselves or new stories of underdogs emerge.
