As the New Year begins – and with an action-packed group stage now in the rear view mirror – the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) moves into the knockout phase, with the round of 16 getting under way on Saturday.Here’s all to know about the eight fixtures:Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list⚽ Senegal vs SudanWhen: January 3, 5pm/16:00 GMTWhere: Ibn Batouta Stadium in TangierPre-tournament favourites Senegal open their AFCON round-of-16 campaign against Sudan, the lowest-ranked side left in the competition and appearing in the knockout stages for the first time in 14 years.Senegal finished top of Group D with seven points after two wins and a draw, edging the Democratic Republic of the Congo on goal difference.The 2022 champions, boasting considerable attacking firepower in Nicolas Jackson and Sadio Mane, will start as clear favourites but will be without captain Kalidou Koulibaly, who was sent off in their final group match.The 117th-ranked Sudan progressed as one of the four best third-placed teams, collecting three points in Group E courtesy of a victory over Equatorial Guinea: a result that marked only their second-ever win at AFCON since lifting the trophy in 1970.Reaching the last-16 represents a significant achievement for Sudan, whose footballing progress has come amid ongoing turmoil at home. Sudan has been ravaged by war since fighting broke out between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in April 2023.⚽ Mali vs TunisiaWhen: January 3, 8pm local/19:00 GMTWhere: Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca Advertisement This round- …
