Algeria face Congo DR for a quarter-final spot
Algeria face Congo DR at Stade Prince Moulay Hassan today for a quarter-final spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Both teams were impressive during the group stages as the Fennec Foxes finished top of Group E with a 100% record, while their opponents picked up seven points from a possible nine.
Off the back of disappointing group-stage exits in both of their last two Nations Cup campaigns, Algeria headed to Morocco with a point to prove despite being the third-highest-ranked team on the continent.
A 3-0 triumph over Sudan in their curtain-raiser set the tone perfectly for Vladimir Petkovic‘s men, who followed up with victories over Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea.
One of only two teams to have won all three group matches, alongside Nigeria, the Desert Warriors also scored the joint-most goals (eight), while conceding the joint-fewest (one).
Algeria’s solidity at both ends of the pitch could prove decisive in their quest to reach the AFCON knockout round for only the second time since 2010, and the first since their title-winning run in 2019.
Having opened the scoring in each of their last six matches, Algeria could really do with another fast start on Tuesday, when they will aim to maintain their five-game unbeaten run against Congo DR in all competitions, although the last three meetings have been friendlies.
After putting Africa on alert with their performances in the World Cup qualifiers, where they are only one win away from booking a ticket to North America later this year, Congo DR have also given a good account of themselves at the ongoing AFCON.
Wins over Benin and Botswana, either side of a 1-1 draw with Senegal, saw Sebastien Desabre‘s men finish second in Group D behind Senegal on goal difference, setting up Tuesday’s upcoming encounter against Algeria.
Les Leopards are currently unbeaten in eight matches, seven of which have yielded fewer than three goals, with their most recent 3-0 thrashing of Botswana the only exception.
Consequently, expectations are high for a cracking contest in Rabat. We fancy Algeria to get the job done, powered by their superior attacking unit.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso faceoff in round of 16 fixture
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 fixture between Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso is scheduled for today at the Grand Stade de Marrakech in Marrakech, Morocco.
The match pits two West African neighbours against each other in what will be a high-stakes knockout encounter, with the winner advancing to the quarter-finals of Africa’s premier international football tournament.
Ivory Coast’s group stage campaign at AFCON 2025 combined controlled beginnings and dramatic conclusions, as the Elephants opened Group F on 24 December with a 1-0 victory over Mozambique courtesy of an early second-half strike from Amad Diallo, giving coach Emerse Fae’s side a positive start and underlining their ability to manage tight contests.
The holders followed that up on 28 December with a 1-1 draw against Cameroon, a match in which Diallo again made an impact by scoring the opener before Cameroon equalised, as the Elephants demonstrated tactical discipline by balancing possession with defensive organisation against a physically strong opponent.
Ivory Coast’s final group match on 31 December proved the most dramatic, as they recovered from an early 2-0 deficit against Gabon inside the opening 21 minutes through goals from Guelor Kanga and Denis Bouanga, before Jean-Philippe Krasso struck before half time and late goals from Evann Guessand and Bazoumana Toure, the latter in stoppage time, sealed a 3-2 comeback win that secured top spot in Group F on goal difference.
Historically, Cote d’Ivoire boast a strong AFCON pedigree as three-time champions who consistently progress deep into the tournament, a record reinforced by an ongoing seven-match unbeaten run at AFCON finals that includes four victories.
In head-to-head terms, Ivory Coast have met Burkina Faso 20 times across all competitions and hold the historical advantage with nine wins to Burkina Faso’s three alongside eight draws, while remaining unbeaten in their two previous AFCON finals meetings, drawing in 2010 and winning 2-0 in 2012, with this fixture marking their first knockout-stage meeting at the tournament.
This round of 16 fixture is expected to be finely balanced, with both sides showing organisation and resilience during the group stage, although Ivory Coast’s status as defending champions and their unbeaten run at the tournament gives them a slight edge.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
West Ham United clash with Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest could hammer another nail into Nuno Espirito Santo‘s West Ham United coffin when they reunite with their former boss in today’s Premier League showdown at the London Stadium.
The Irons became Wolverhampton Wanderers’ first top-flight victims of the 2025-26 season at the weekend, while the Tricky Trees were no match for title-chasing Aston Villa.
Squaring up to a Wolves side with just three points on the board all season long, the former Conference League champions put in a dreadful display that Santo could only describe as “embarrassing” after his side were slain 3-0 by the Mateus Mane-inspired Old Gold.
Amid reports of erstwhile Hammers head coach Slaven Bilic opening the door to a return to the London Stadium, Santo is just about clinging onto his position for the time being, but the statistics are particularly damning for the Portuguese.
The 18th-placed hosts will remain in the relegation zone no matter what transpires this week, and they have now gone nine Premier League games without a win since edging out Burnley in November, losing four of their last five.
Furthermore, no other manager in the league is on a longer run without a clean sheet than Santo (26 games), and the Irons are still waiting for their first top-flight shut-out of the season at home, where they have already let in a whopping 23 efforts this term.
Few West Ham fans should be looking to August’s City Ground win for inspiration; much like Santo’s Forest that day, Santo’s Irons are now lacking in identity, stability and confidence – another recipe for disaster.
The hosts are simply incapable of keeping the back door shut at home, and even a goal-shy Forest side should capitalise on West Ham’s defensive vulnerabilities to return to victorious ways and potentially push Santo closer to the exit door.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
West Ham United 20:00 Nottingham Forest
AFCON Fixtures
Ivory Coast 19:00 Burkina Faso
The post Premier League & Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Fixtures and Previews appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.
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