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AFCON

AFCON 2022 Round of 16: teams, dates, times, fixtures

After a slow start, the Africa Cup of Nations exploded into life this week with the shock elimination of Ghana and reigning champions Algeria.

Paul Reidy
Paul Reidypaulreidy67
Nigeria's players huddle prior to the Group D Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2021 football match between Guinea-Bissau and Nigeria at Stade Roumde Adjia in Garoua on January 19, 2022. (Photo by Daniel BELOUMOU OLOMO / AFP)
DANIEL BELOUMOU OLOMOAFP

It's fair to say that the opening phase of the Cameroon staged AFCON was overshadowed by off-field matters with more focus on new covid absentees as the action on the pitch saw slow cagey games with most contests being decided by a 1-0 scoreline.

This week, however has been a different matter with match-day three providing spills, thrills and major upsets as with leading force in Africa football, the 'Black Stars' of Ghana being eliminated after falling to defeat by lowly Comoros. The shock leading for calls for the Ghanian FA to dismiss Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac.

Ghana's players react after scoring their second goal during the Group C Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football match between Ghana and Comoros at Stade Roumde Adjia in Garoua on January 18, 2022. (Photo by Daniel BELOUMOU OLOMO / AFP)
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Ghana's players react after scoring their second goal during the Group C Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football match between Ghana and Comoros at Stade Roumde Adjia in Garoua on January 18, 2022. (Photo by Daniel BELOUMOU OLOMO / AFP)DANIEL BELOUMOU OLOMOAFP

The Ghanaian exit was just the prelude to another shock as current AFCON champions Algeria ended a disastrous campaign with just one goal and one point with Thursday's defeat to Ivory Coast sealing their fate. Possibly a case of history repeating itself as when they won their only other Cup of Nations title in 1990, Algeria also exited in the first round of the next tournament after a 3-0 loss to the Ivorians, who went on to lift the trophy.

Ivory Coast's defender Ghislain Konan (L) hugs Ivory Coast's midfielder Franck Kessie (R) as they celebrate after Ivory Coast won the Group E Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football match between Ivory Coast and Algeria at Stade de Japoma in Douala on J
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Ivory Coast's defender Ghislain Konan (L) hugs Ivory Coast's midfielder Franck Kessie (R) as they celebrate after Ivory Coast won the Group E Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football match between Ivory Coast and Algeria at Stade de Japoma in Douala on JCHARLY TRIBALLEAUAFP

Round of 16

The round of 16 kicks off on Sunday with Burkina Faso playing Gabon in Limbe and Nigeria up against Tunisia in Garoua.

Sierra Leone's defeat to Equatorial Guinea saw Comoros Island to go through without kicking a ball. The island side were waiting to find out whether they would advance as one of the best third-placed finishers after their shock 3-2 win over Ghana on Tuesday and will play hosts Cameroon on Monday.

The most eye-catching fixture sees the impressive Ivory Coast face seven-time winners Egypt on 26 January in Douala.

The quarter-final stage of AFCON commences on 29 January.

Round of 16 Games:

23 January: Burkina Faso-Gabon (11:00)* (all times ET)

23 January: Nigeria-Tunisia (14:00)

24 January: Guinea-Gambia (11:00)

24 January: Cameroon-Comoros (14:00)

25 January: Senegal-Cape Verde (11:00)

25 January: Morocco-Malawi (14:00)

26 January: Ivory Coast-Egypt (11:00)

26 January: Mali-Equatorial Guines (14:00)