AFCON 2021: Round of 16 preview and prediction

Although the first stage took a while to get going, the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations has been a highly exciting tournament. Ghana's unexpected early elimination, like Algeria's, is likely the most dramatic example of the tournament's so far, but famous outcomes for Comoros, Gambia, and Sierra Leone have been thrilling to witness.

Cameroon, the hosts, were the first to qualify for the knockout stage, finishing first in Group A. Nigeria took first place in Group D, while Senegal and Morocco took first place in Groups B and C, respectively.

For the first time in their history, Southern African teams Mali and Malawi made it to the knockout stage of the competition. Cape Verde, Tunisia, Gambia, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Gabon are among the teams who have advanced. Vincent Aboubakar was named player of the first phase after scoring five goals in three games.

Following the end of the group stage, the fixture schedule for the Afcon 2021 Round of 16 has been confirmed. The group stages are normally more cautious, but the knock-out stage, of course, brings far greater danger.

AFCON 2021: Round of 16 preview, fixtures, venues, and prediction

In this article, we will mainly talk about the 

Africa Cup of Nations 2022

round of 16 and will try to predict the outcome of the matches and have listed some AFCON 2022 predictions. We have also provided information about fixtures, venues, and much more, thus stay with us if you want to learn more about the knockout stage of this amazing tournament.

One more thing before we move into the article, we have also prepared other articles about AFCON winner prediction and other

, feel free to check them out.

Burkina Faso vs Gabon

When Burkina Faso and Gabon meet at the Limbe Omnisport Stadium in the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16, the action begins.

This will be their first meeting since a 1-1 draw in 2017, and Les Etalons will be looking to win one over their Central African opponents after failing to win any of the previous four encounters between the two teams since 2013.

While neither side shone in the group stages, tournament football is seldom the most expansive, and you get the feeling there's more to come as the showcase of African football nears its conclusion.

Both teams will be optimistic that they can beat their opponents and advance to the quarter-finals.

Fortunately for both teams, no new injury worries have surfaced. Of course, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has returned to Arsenal, but he recently stated that he is in good health. Gabon has performed admirably despite star player injury worries, but we expect Burkina Faso to have too much in attack.

• Fixture date:

  Sunday, January 23

• Fixture time:

  4 pm GMT kick-off time

• Stadium:

  Limbe Stadium, Limbe

• Prediction:

  Burkina Faso 1:0 Gabon

We expect a close game, with the outcome leaning either way, since both teams, who are similarly suited on paper, enter the game in comparable shape. Burkina Faso, on the other hand, is our pick to win since they have the experience needed at this point of the game.

Nigeria vs Tunisia

The Africa Cup of Nations continues on with another tense match between two African powers, Nigeria and Tunisia, at the Roumde Adija Stadium in Roumde, for a spot in the quarter-finals.

This will be the teams' second knockout-stage meeting in three years, as the Super Eagles won a tight 1-0 victory in last year's third-place playoff tie in Egypt, and it should be an intriguing match to see.

The group stage was a tale of contrasting fortunes for both teams. While Nigeria dominated Group D, winning all three games, Tunisia's Carthage Eagles were terrible, earning just three points in a group that also included Mali, Mauritania, and debutants Gambia.

As one of the top third-placed teams, the Carthage Eagles barely made it to the round of 16.

The Africa Cup of Nations 2022 will include a round of 16 stage for the second year in a row, although Nigeria has advanced to the semifinals in 13 of their past 15 editions. Tunisia, on the other hand, has only made it to the semifinals of the event four times in their past 15 visits.

Now time for

AFCON 2022 predictions

.

• Fixture date:

  Sunday, January 23

• Fixture time:

  7 pm GMT kick-off time

• Stadium:

  Roumde Adija Stadium, Garoua

• Prediction:

  Nigeria 2:1 Tunisia

Tunisia is up against it, not simply because Nigeria is in better shape and has more talent. Tunisia is likewise short on players.

Following a near-perfect run through the group stages, Nigeria has established itself as a real championship contender. While facing up against Tunisia may be a difficult job for any team, Nigeria has the potential to win, and we are betting on them to do so and continue their assault for the crown.

What is your AFCON winner prediction? Let us know!

Guinea vs Gambia

Guinea and Gambia will face off for a spot in the Africa Cup of Nations 2022 quarter-finals on Monday at the Stade Omnisports de Bafoussam.

While the Syli National won four points in their first three games, Gambia has had an undefeated season so far, finishing only one point behind first-placed Mali on goal difference after winning Group F with seven points.

The last match between these two on 2nd of Jun 2007 ended in a draw but once again these two national teams get the chance to prove which one is better than the other. This match will be held in Kouekong Stadium of Bafoussam on Monday, January 24, thus stay tuned if you don’t want to miss this amazing match.

• Fixture date:

  Monday, January 24

• Fixture time:

  4 pm GMT kick-off time

• Stadium:

  Kouekong Stadium, Bafoussam

• Prediction:

  Guinea 2:0 Gambia

Gambia, making their tournament debut, has hit the ground running and will enter the knockout stage in high spirits after a strong group-stage performance. We expect a fascinating match between the two rivals. However, based on the head-to-head records Guinea has occasionally outpowered Gambia and has managed to win 7 games out of the 23. That is why it is safe to say that Guinea has a better chance of victory than Gambia.

Cameroon vs Comoros

When Cameroon hosts Comoros at Stade d'Olembe on Monday evening, they will be looking to offer their fans even another cause to cheer. The tournament hosts were impressive in front of goal throughout the group stages, and the bookies have them as hot favorites to overcome Comoros in front of their home crowd.

The Indomitable Lions have gone undefeated thus far in the competition, placing first in Group A, while Comoros upset Ghana in a dramatic group decider to go to the next round.

Cameroon will move into the knockout rounds of this year's Africa Cup of Nations with tremendous optimism and confidence in their prospects of going all the way after an outstanding group-stage performance, with the home fans cheering them on.

Amir Abdou's team overcame Ghana in the last group encounter to set up a meeting with Cameroon in the 

Africa Cup of Nations 2022

 last 16.

• Fixture date:

  Monday January 24

• Fixture time:

  7 pm GMT kick-off time

• Stadium:

  Olembe Stadium, Yaounde

• Prediction:

  Cameroon 2:0 Comoros

Cameroon has had a strong start to the tournament, and they enter Monday's match as one of the competition's most free-scoring teams. They have a chance to go all the way this year with the support of the local supporters, and we're picking them to win in regular time and put a stop to Comoros' fairy-tale run.

The debutants at the Africa Cup of Nations want to capture yet another huge scalp in the showcase event, although we're tempted to choose the Indomitable Lions due to home-field advantage and put them over the opposing team in our AFCON 2022 predictions.

Senegal vs Cape Verde

Senegal will face Cape Verde in the final 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday at the Stade Omnisports de Bafoussam, continuing their quest to dominate the continent for the first time.

The Blue Sharks are without a knockout-stage victory in their last two tournament visits and will be eager to break that streak.

When Senegal and Cape Verde meet in the 

Africa Cup of Nations 2022

 last 16 at Kouekong Stadium, there will be fireworks. The Lions of Teranga are aiming for their fourth straight clean sheet in the tournament, and they'll be relying on their stalwart defense in Tuesday's match.

Cape Verde drew 1-1 with hosts Cameroon to set up a match with Senegal and if they want to come out victorious, they need to try harder than before.

• Fixture date:

  Tuesday, January 25

• Fixture time:

  4 pm GMT kick-off time

• Stadium:

  Kouekong Stadium, Bafoussam

• Prediction:

  Senegal 1:0 Cape Verde

Despite a slow start to the competition, Senegal has a star-studded lineup capable of finally ending their long wait for continental triumph. Given the disparity in skill and experience between the two nations, we're picking the Lions of Teranga to triumph in normal time.

Due to the poor performance in the group stage, Cape Verde seems to be in trouble facing the one who has 3 consecutive clean sheets in the tournament.

Morocco vs Malawi

Morocco was one of the favorites heading into the tournament, and they got off to a good start by defeating Ghana 1-0 despite not having a striker due to injury and Covid-19.

According to coach Vahid Halilhodzic, the Lions of Atlas don't have many great champions, but they do have a strong collective, which was strengthened by the exclusion of Hakim Ziyech.

In the absence of the Chelsea star, Sofiane Boufal may have a chance to shine in the Africa Cup of Nations 2022. So far, the former Southampton winger has scored two goals and boosted Morocco's offensive quality.

The north Africans are attempting to win their second championship, having failed to do so since 1976.

When Morocco takes on Malawi at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo, they will be aiming to capture their first Africa Cup of Nations championship since 1976. Morocco advanced to the quarter-finals after defeating Ghana and Comoros in the group stages and splitting the spoils with Gabon, according to the bookmakers.

The Flames qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations 2022 playoffs with a goalless draw against a star-studded Senegal team.

• Fixture date:

  Tuesday, January 25

• Fixture time:

  7 pm GMT kick-off time

• Stadium:

  Stade Ahmadoou Ahidjo, Yaounde

• Prediction:

  Morocco 1:0 Malawi

Both of the teams have a fair chance of winning the match but based on the group stage performance we think that Morocco will be the one who claims the victory and making its way into AFCON winner prediction.

Ivory Coast vs Egypt

The match between Ivory Coast and Egypt is the most intriguing in the round of 16.

Both teams met in the 2006 AFCON final, with Egypt prevailing 4-2 on penalties, and this match is expected to be equally thrilling.

After two disappointing editions and elimination from the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, the Ivory Coast is back in contention and has a better chance of reaching the quarter-finals. Nicolas Pepe is demonstrating why Arsenal spent so much money on him after eliminating Algeria.

Egypt, on the other hand, was completely outclassed by Nigeria in the opening match and failed to impress against Guinea-Bissau or Sudan.

Two ancient rivals, meet in the Africa Cup of Nations 2022 final 16 at Japoma Stadium. With a 3-1 win against Algeria, the Elephants won first place in Group E, but they face a daunting test in Wednesday's match. The Pharaohs, on the other hand, upset Sudan 1-0 in the final to set up a clash with Ivory Coast.

• Fixture date:

  Wednesday, January 26

• Fixture time:

  4 pm GMT kick-off

• Stadium:

  Japoma Stadium, Douala

• Prediction:

  Ivory Coast 0:2 Egypt

In the away team, Mohamed Salah will be the man to watch, but Carlos Queiroz's men should rely on their rock-solid defense this time around. All in all, Egypt seems to be ready to claim its victory in this match and reach higher stages.

Mali vs Equatorial Guinea

Mali advanced courtesy to Ibrahima Kone, dubbed "the Malian Lukaku" for scoring three penalties in the group round. The Sarpsborg striker will be hoping to help his team reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2013.

Equatorial Guinea, meantime, is competing in their third AFCON which is Africa Cup of Nations 2022, the first as a non-host country, and has advanced to the knockout round on all three times.

They accomplished it in style this year, defeating Algeria and finishing second to Ivory Coast.

Seventeen of the twenty-eight Equatoguinean players were born in Spain or now play there. Iban Edu Salvador, who was named man of the match against Algeria, has been the most impressive thus far and is one to keep an eye on.

Mali and Equatorial Guinea will meet at Limbe Stadium on Wednesday evening for a place in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals. Mali claimed first place in Group F with a 2-0 victory over Mauritania, and they must be in great spirits heading into the last 16 match.

Equatorial Guinea, on the other hand, promptly recovered from a 1-0 defeat to Ivory Coast by defeating Algeria (1-0) and Sierra Leone (1-0) in their last two group games.

• Fixture date:

  Wednesday, January 26

• Fixture time:

  7 pm GMT kick-off

• Stadium:

  Limbe Stadium, Limbe

• Prediction:

  Mali 1:0 Equatorial Guinea

The National Thunder appear to be sturdy at the back, but we don't think they'll be able to keep their third consecutive clean sheet in Cameroon's showcase competition.

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