AFCON 2023: Nigeria to face Cameroon, CIV draw Senegal

AFCON 2023 round of 16: Exciting matchups and potential surprises ahead

The second round fixtures will see the defending champions face the host while Cameroon will entertain Nigeria. (Photo credit: CAF Online)

Following an exhilarating group stage game, the round of 16 draws at the ongoing AFCON 2023 pitched mouth-watering fixtures for our viewing pleasure, but how straightforward are they?

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face their old nemesis, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, on Saturday, as both sides managed to finish second in their respective groups. 

Both have failed to inspire confidence, and it took a last-gasp goal to get Cameroon into the round of 16. This will be a cracker.

Senegal remains the tournament favorite, and they have been handed a game against the tournament hosts, Ivory Coast. 

It took Zambia’s capitulation to save the blushes of the hosts, as their embarrassing loss to Equatorial Guinea felt like it was over. 

Do they stand any chance against the holders?

Angola topped the group, which had Algeria and Burkina Faso, and will face the Hawks of Namibia. 

The Namibians beat Tunisia in one of the many shocks of the AFCON 2023, and it was a great foundation for their round-of-16 ticket. 

This one has the tendency to swing either way.

Mali is another team in the tournament with high hopes. 

The Eagles finished at the top of their group and will face one of the exciting teams in the tournament in Burkina Faso. 

It was rather shocking that Burkina Faso lost to Angola in their final group game, they will have to do better in this one.

AFCON 2023 hotshots, Cape Verde will be the favorite against another surprise round of 16 debutants, Mauritania, but they can’t afford to be complacent. 

Both sides have it in them to pull surprises, but Cape Verde should edge this one.

Egypt made it through to the round of 16 by the skin of their teeth and will have to do better in their second-round fixture against DR Congo. 

The Congolese side will not come easy, and Egypt must do their business without Mohammed Salah; it’s a tricky tie.

Morocco has been handed a tie against South Africa, and the World Cup semifinalists will hope their current pedigree will be enough to see them past the 1996 champions. 

South Africa has grown into the tournament, and they’re looking like a serious side. This is another interesting fixture.

The final game of the second round is the battle of the Guineas. The surprise package of the tournament, Slayer of Ivory Coast, will battle Guinea, and you must be wondering where to pitch your tent. 

This is the best AFCON ever, a full-blown movie.