Egypt vs Benin in Africa Cup 2025 Round of 16: Mohamed Salah's Smooth Path to the Quarterfinals?
Source: X/@CAF_Online
After the group stage concluded on Thursday, January 1, 2026, early morning WIB, 16 teams secured their places in the 2025 Africa Cup Round of 16. Egypt emerged as one of the main axes of the tournament as Group B winners.
Six teams qualified for the Round of 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup as group winners. Besides Egypt, the other five nations are Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Algeria, and Ivory Coast.
That status places Egypt on a relatively ideal path towards the knockout stages, simultaneously strengthening their position as one of the strong title contenders.
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In the Round of 16, Mohamed Salah and his teammates will face Benin, one of the four best third-placed teams that managed to qualify.
Besides Benin, the other three nations that also qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup Round of 16 as best third-placed teams are Mozambique (Group F), Sudan (Group E), and Tanzania (Group C).
Egypt's Path Tested by Consistency
Unlike several other giants who must face tough opponents early in the knockout phase, Egypt finds itself on a side of the bracket that allows them to build momentum.
The match against Benin on Monday, January 5, 2026, becomes a crucial test of consistency, patience in breaking down tight defenses, and Egypt's ability to avoid upsets – a classic pitfall for favored teams in the Africa Cup knockout stages.
The Egypt vs Benin match is one of the most anticipated encounters, pitting elite experience against a team playing without pressure.
Africa's 16 Best Teams Eliminate Each Other
The Round of 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup is scheduled to run from Saturday, January 3, 2026, local time, to Tuesday, January 6, 2026, featuring eight matches.
Although the group winner status gives Egypt a psychological advantage, it also brings the burden of expectation. In a tournament like the Africa Cup, reputation can crumble in 90 minutes.
List of Teams Qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup Round of 16
Group Winners
Morocco (Group A)
Egypt (Group B)
Nigeria (Group C)
Senegal (Group D)
Algeria (Group E)
Ivory Coast (Group F)
Group Runners-up
Mali (Group A)
South Africa (Group B)
Tunisia (Group C)
DR Congo (Group D)
Burkina Faso (Group E)
Cameroon (Group F)
Best Third-Placed Teams
Mozambique (Group F)
Benin (Group D)
Sudan (Group E)
Tanzania (Group C)
2025 Africa Cup Round of 16 Schedule
Saturday (3/1)
Senegal vs Sudan 23.00 WIB
Sunday (4/1)
Mali vs Tunisia 02.00 WIB
Morocco vs Tanzania 23.00 WIB
Monday (5/1)
South Africa vs Cameroon 02.00 WIB
Egypt vs Benin 23.00 WIB
Tuesday (6/1)
Nigeria vs Mozambique 02.00 WIB
Algeria vs DR Congo 23.00 WIB
Wednesday (7/1)
Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso 02.00 WIB.
