AFCON 2023: Nigeria Win, South Africa Loss, Predicting All Round of 16 Matches

• The Round of 16 of the 2023 AFCON kicks off on Saturday, January 27
• Nigeria vs Cameroon and Senegal vs Ivory Coast are the biggest games
• Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, and Namibia are the remaining underdogs

The real business of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations starts this Saturday with the Round of 16.

Mouth-watering matches have been lined up, and by the end, some will be in agony while others will be over the moon.

We've seen historic upsets in the group phase, with Cape Verde, Namibia, and Mauritania grabbing the headlines and the Round of 16 promises to deliver again.

Less fancied nations, Cape Verde, Namibia, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, and Mauritania, will be looking to challenge the status quo in the Ivory Coast.

Since the turn of the millennium, Zambia and Senegal are the only first-time winners of the title. Cameroon, Egypt, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Algeria added more trophies to their cabinets.

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Could we see an underdog go all the way to win it, like Zambia in 2012? Sports Brief predicts every match in the Round of 16.

AFCON Round of 16 predictions

Nigeria vs Cameroon

The Indomitable Lions and Super Eagles have locked horns in so many classic encounters over the decades. They've played each other in three AFCON finals (1984, 1988, 2000), and Cameroon won them all. Therefore, the Nigerians would love to beat them again like they did in the 2019 edition.

Rigobert Song's side barely made it out of the group. They needed late goals to beat The Gambia to secure their progression. Nigeria cruised past the group stage with an indifferent but solid performance.

Prediction: Nigeria wins 1-0.

Angola vs Namibia

These two Southern Africa teams have done well so far, particularly Namibia. The Brave Warriors stunned Tunisia in the group stage and held Mali to a draw to qualify. Angola beat Burkina Faso and Mauritania before holding Algeria to a draw.

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Namibia have scored just once in the tournament so far. Angola's win over perennial contenders Burkina Faso showed they can beat anyone.

Prediction: Angola wins 2-0.

Cape Verde vs Mauritania

The Blue Sharks are a problem. They topped Group B, which had Ghana and Egypt. They've reached the quarter-finals once before, and their performances have shown they can comfortably beat any team in Ivory Coast. Mauritania eliminated Algeria from the tournament, so they will be a handful.

Prediction: Cape Verde wins 2-1.

Morocco vs South Africa

The 2022 World Cup semi-finalists have been tipped to win their second AFCON title in Ivory Coast. They haven't won it since 1976, and it might be time to end the drought. Bafana Bafana, on the other hand, wants to spoil Morocco's party.

They play excellent football and are lethal on the counter. However, Walid Regragui's side have more quality.

Prediction: Morocco wins 2-0.

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Mali vs Burkina Faso

These West African neighbours were comfortable in the group stage, and this clash is tough. Despite having a steady flow of talent, the Eagles have not gone deep in the tournament. According to Opta Analyst, the Stallions reached the semis in 2017, 2019, and 2021, so if we're going with reputation, Burkina Faso will likely win this.

Prediction: Burkina Faso to win 2-1.

Senegal vs Ivory Coast

The defending champions won all their group games and looked unplayable. In contrast, Ivory Coast were on the brink of an embarrassing exit from the competition but miraculously survived. The Elephants are still at home, and Jean-Louis Gasset is out as coach. Aliou Cisse's side have more cohesion and quality in all areas of the pitch.

Prediction: Senegal to win 2-1.

Egypt vs DR Congo

These two sides have not won an AFCON match so far, per CAF. They both drew all their games, and Egypt will be without Mohamed Salah. DR Congo gave Morocco a run for their money in the group phase with their attack spearheaded by Cedric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa.

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Prediction: DR Congo to win via penalties.

Equatorial Guinea vs Guinea

Equatorial Guinea topped a group with Nigeria and hosts Ivory Coast. They thrashed the Elephants 4-0 in their final group game, and their 34-year-old striker Emilio Nsue is the top scorer. Guinea's superstar Serhou Guirassy has not scored in the tournament. Can he do the job against a confident Equatorial Guinea?

Prediction: Equatorial Guinea to win 2-1

2023 AFCON favourites

Sports Brief also listed favourites to win the 2023 AFCON tournament.

After superb displays in group stages, Senegal and Morocco topped the list as overwhelming favourites.

Cape Verde and Equatorial Guinea made the list as outside favourites following a historic run in the group stages. They upset giants Ghana and Ivory Coast in the group phase.