There were zero upsets in the Round of 16 of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, as the powerhouses secured their tickets to the quarter-finals. Mali, Senegal, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Morocco, Algeria, and Nigeria are moving on, leaving Tunisia, Sudan, Benin, Burkina Faso, South Africa, Tanzania, DR Congo, and Mozambique in the dust.
Among them, Nigeria secured the most impressive victory, as they cruised past a gritty Mozambique side. Their win last night sets them up for an entertaining clash against Algeria, who, like them, entered the knockouts with a flawless record.
Elsewhere, Brahim Diaz bailed out Morocco in a closely contested encounter against Tanzania, and the Real Madrid winger hit an elusive country record in the process. Amad Diallo also impressed for Ivory Coast, who are, by the way, the defending champions of this continental tournament.
Here are some of the latest Africa Cup of Nations 2026 updates, courtesy of SBOTOP.
Osimhen’s tantrums overshadow Nigeria’s dominant win
Nigeria dispatched Mozambique (4-0) with ease yesterday in Fes, as Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen (brace), and Akor Adams were on the scoresheet. The Super Eagles were dominant throughout, having fired 21 total shots (nine on target) and controlled 62-per cent of the ball. However, despite the wire-to-wire victory, it is Osimhen’s on-field meltdown that is being discussed more by the media.
The Galatasaray striker was booed off the pitch after demanding to be subbed after a heated confrontation with Lookman. Osimhen, who was gunning for a hat-trick in the 63rd minute when Nigeria were up 3-0, berated Lookman and Bruno Onyemaechi for not passing him the ball inside the box for a prime scoring opportunity.
Wilfred Ndidi, Calvin Bassey, and even Mozambique defender Reinildo Mandava had to intervene to separate Osimhen and Lookman. Cooler heads prevailed, as Nigeria boss Eric Chelle replaced Osimhen with Moses Simon in the 68th minute.
Osimhen didn’t talk to reporters after the match, but Lookman did. The Atalanta forward downplayed the altercation, chalking it up to Osimhen’s competitive nature. Chelle echoed Lookman’s post-match remarks.
Nonetheless, Nigeria are on a mission, as winning this tournament can help make up for the disappointment of missing out on this year’s World Cup after losing to DR Congo last November in the play-off final.
Brahim reaches historic milestone for Morocco
Brahim Diaz was the hero again in Morocco’s slender win over Tanzania, as the Real Madrid winger scored the marginal goal four minutes after the hour mark. He became the first Moroccan footballer to score in four different Africa Cup of Nations matches, and his goal moved him to the top of the tournament’s Golden Boot race, underlining his influence in the Atlas Lions’ campaign. Brahim Diaz is also poised to win the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award.
Tanzania were more than willing to absorb Morocco’s pressure, and they held firm for most of the game to frustrate the hosts. Their resistance finally cracked in the second half, as Achraf Hakimi picked out Brahim Diaz on the right flank, and the 26-year-old blew past his defender and rifled a right-footed shot toward the near post. Goalkeeper Hussein Masalanga got a hand to the shot, but failed to keep it out.
Up next for Morocco are Cameroon, who are fresh from a 2-1 win over South Africa. Manchester United teammates Noussair Mazraoui and Bryan Mbeumo will make headlines because they’ll inevitably face off. However, we would be remiss not to give a shoutout to the likes of Ayoub El Kaabi, Christian Kofane, Karl Etta Eyong, and Junior Tchamadeu, who are faring well in the tournament thus far.
Amad powers the defending champions past Burkina Faso
Ivory Coast reached the final eight of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, as Amad Diallo had another masterclass, where he recorded a goal and an assist. Emerse Fae’s side became the first defending champions to reach the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals since Egypt in 2010.
The Manchester United winger put the Elephants ahead for good in the 20th minute when he blazed past multiple defenders for a nifty finish past goalkeeper Herve Koffi from close range, and he teed up Yan Diomande for their second goal 12 minutes later. Bazoumana Toure grabbed the third late on with a fine solo goal to put the final nail in the coffin. Up next for the defending champions is Egypt, which beat Benin 3-1 after extra time on Monday. Marwan Attia, Yasser Ibrahim, and Mohamed Salah were on the scoresheet for the Pharaohs. The Africa Cup of Nations 2026 odds say we’re in for a tight contest.
●●●
CHEC OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
