Monday night at the Africa Cup of Nations has a particular weight to it. The group-stage noise has faded, reputations now count for little, and every touch of the ball carries consequence. In Agadir and Fès, two very different knockout stories are set to unfold as Egypt face Benin before Nigeria and Mozambique contest a place in the quarter-finals.
The Round of 16 continues on January 5 with the tournament beginning to separate contenders from survivors.
Egypt vs Benin
Grand Stade d’Agadir
Egypt arrive in Agadir carrying the quiet authority of a side that knows this territory well. Unbeaten through the group stages and top of Group B with seven points, the seven-time champions have moved through the tournament with control rather than spectacle. It has been efficient, measured football, built on structure, experience, and the familiar figure of Mohamed Salah leading from the front.
For Egypt, this match is less about form and more about intent. The Pharaohs have not lifted the AFCON trophy since 2010, a drought that looms larger with every edition. Their defensive discipline has stood out so far, and if they find rhythm early, they will look to turn the contest into one played on their terms.
Benin, however, do not arrive as tourists. The Cheetahs earned their place in the knockouts by showing resilience and tactical maturity, highlighted by a gritty 1-0 win over Botswana in Group D. They are comfortable without the ball, compact between the lines, and willing to suffer.
History leans heavily Egypt’s way, with Benin winning just once in four previous meetings. But knockout football has a habit of flattening hierarchies. Benin’s quarter-final run in 2019 still resonates, a reminder that they can navigate pressure when the stakes rise. If they frustrate Egypt early and keep the scoreline tight, belief will grow with every passing minute.
For Egypt, the message is simple. Control the tempo, avoid unnecessary risks, and let quality decide. For Benin, survival depends on patience, discipline, and striking in moments rather than phases.
Nigeria vs Mozambique
Complexe Sportif de Fès
If the first match promises tension, the second offers chaos potential.
Nigeria step into the spotlight in Fès as one of the most watchable sides of the tournament. The Super Eagles finished the group stage with eight goals scored, the most of any team, and have played with an attacking freedom that suggests a side enjoying its football. Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman have led the charge, combining pace, power, and movement that few defences have handled comfortably.
There is a sense that Nigeria see this tournament as unfinished business. Finalists in 2023, they have returned with a sharper edge and a belief that this squad can go one step further. Yet their openness going forward has occasionally left space behind, a detail Mozambique will have studied closely.
Mozambique’s presence at this stage already carries historical weight. Their dramatic 3-2 victory over Gabon in the group stage ended a 40-year wait for an AFCON win and propelled them into the knockouts with momentum rather than expectation. The Mambas play without fear, breaking quickly and committing numbers forward when opportunities arise.
On paper, the record is unforgiving. Mozambique have avoided defeat against Nigeria just once in five previous meetings. On the pitch, though, their counter-attacking approach has the tools to unsettle a Nigerian defence that has not always looked settled under sustained pressure.
For Nigeria, the challenge is balance. Attack with intent, but manage transitions. For Mozambique, the task is to stay alive long enough for nerves to creep in, then strike with conviction.
As the Round of 16 unfolds, Monday night offers two contrasting narratives. A giant seeking control against a stubborn underdog in Agadir, and a free-scoring favourite facing a fearless challenger in Fès. By the end of the night, two more quarter-finalists will be known, and the margin for error will shrink once again.
