The knockout rounds of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations have delivered the kind of drama that defines the tournament’s enduring appeal.
With margins for error gone, traditional powerhouses have been forced to dig deep to justify their reputations.
Morocco’s narrow victory over Tanzania showcased tactical discipline and patience, while Cameroon’s comeback win against South Africa underlined their experience on the continental stage.
Both results set up a tantalising quarter-final clash between two African heavyweights.
For the eliminated teams, the exits were painful but instructive. Tanzania and South Africa showed flashes of quality but ultimately fell short against more clinical opponents.
Their departures underscore the unforgiving nature of knockout football.
Attention now turns to Egypt’s clash with Benin Republic and Nigeria’s encounter with Mozambique.
For Egypt and Nigeria, anything short of progression would be viewed as failure given their pedigree and expectations.
Already, Sudan, Tunisia, Tanzania, and South Africa have bowed out, narrowing the field and raising the stakes for those still standing.
With each match, pressure intensifies and margins grow thinner.
As AFCON enters its decisive phase, the tournament once again affirms its status as a proving ground where reputations are made, broken, and rewritten.
