AFCON BRACKET UPDATE NOW: NIGERIA’S ROUND OF 16 DATE IS SET, SEE THE POTENTIAL OPPONENTS
Nigeria prepares for the AFCON Last 16 on January 5. The Super Eagles will face a third-place team, likely Cameroon or Mozambique.
Coach Chelle switched things up for the Uganda game, resting some important players since their group standing was locked. Stanley Nwabali, Semi Ajayi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Ademola Lookman were all close to getting a one-game suspension, which they would have had to sit out of the next round since yellow cards are cleared after group play.
Victor Osimhen was in the same situation but still started for Nigeria, even captaining the team for 87 minutes in their 3-1 win against Uganda without getting a card.
A much-changed Nigeria team made sure they ended their time in Morocco with a perfect record. Paul Onuachu, the big ex-Southampton striker, slid in to score from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru's cross before halftime.
Raphael Onyedika, who plays midfield for Club Brugge, scored twice in five minutes in the second half to make the lead bigger, thanks to two assists from Samuel Chukwueze. Uganda's goalie, Salim Magoola, who came in at halftime for the injured captain Denis Onyango, got a red card for handling an Osimhen shot way outside the box.
Uganda did manage to get one goal back late in the game when Rogers Mato scored from a nice pass by Allan Okello with 15 minutes left. Still, it wasn't enough to stop the Cranes, who had lost to Tunisia 3-1 and drawn with Tanzania 1-1, from finishing last in the group and going home early with just one point.
In Rabat, Ismael Gharbi scored a penalty for Tunisia in the first half, but Feisal Salum evened it up for Tanzania after halftime. This 1-1 draw sent Tanzania to the AFCON knockout stage for the first time in their fourth try.
The Taifa Stars, who have never won a game in the competition, ended up with the same points and goal difference as Angola in Group B. They got the edge as one of the best third-place teams because they had scored one more goal.
Next, they will face the tough task of playing the host team, Morocco, in Rabat on Sunday night.
Tunisia, meanwhile, took second place in Group C behind Nigeria and will play Mali, who finished second in Group A, in Casablanca on Saturday night.
Who will Nigeria play in the AFCON last 16
Since Angola is out, Nigeria will play one of the third-place teams from Group F in the next round of AFCON, back at the Fez Stadium on Monday night (January 5).
It's probably going to be either Cameroon or Mozambique, who will play each other in Agadir on Wednesday night.
Mozambique is currently in third place after their big 3-2 win over Gabon on Sunday, one point ahead of Cameroon, though Cameroon's goal difference is one goal better.
The current champions, Ivory Coast, are leading Group F before their game against Gabon in Marrakesh, who are already out. It's still possible for them to end up in third place, but it doesn't look likely.
Mozambique will finish third if they draw with or lose to Cameroon, who were beaten 2-0 by Nigeria in the last 16.
If Nigeria wins their first knockout game, it could face Algeria, the 2019 winners, in the quarter-finals.
CARLO ANCELOTTI ISSUES TWO-MONTH WORLD CUP ULTIMATUM TO SANTOS STAR NEYMAR
Carlo Ancelotti confirms Neymar has two months to prove his fitness for the 2026 World Cup. Read the full Selecao update.
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Everyone’s talking about Neymar again as the 2026 World Cup edges closer. It’s the same old debate: does he still have a spot with Brazil? But this time there’s real hope on the table. Carlo Ancelotti’s left the door open for Neymar to make the cut. Even though Neymar hasn’t made the latest squads, he’s obviously still on the minds of the Selecao coaches.
Here’s the situation: Neymar's been battling injuries since he tore his ACL. He missed the season’s first 10 games after knee surgery last December. He got back on the field, but fitness issues and a suspension meant he still watched from the sidelines quite a bit. Still, Ancelotti isn’t ruling him out. In an interview with L’Equipe, Ancelotti emphasised Neymar’s reputation but also made something very clear: if Neymar wants the World Cup, he needs to earn it.
Talent isn't a question; nobody doubts Neymar’s skill. What matters for Ancelotti is being fit. No exceptions, no matter how big the star. “Neymar can come back. I’ve said it before, and it’s simple: only physically ready players get called up,” Ancelotti said flat-out. “His recovery from the knee injury is going well; he’s scoring again. He just needs to keep pushing and get fitter. He’s headed in the right direction.”
With 79 goals in 128 matches, Neymar has shaped Brazil’s football history. Ancelotti gets that fans want to see Neymar try one more time for the one trophy he’s never won. “Neymar belongs to Brazil’s football story. He’s hugely talented, so obviously people hope he’ll help us win the next World Cup. Right now, he’s under assessment not just by the CBF but by me, too. He’s got two months left to show he has what it takes for the World Cup,” Ancelotti said.
Neymar’s chance to prove himself is coming fast, with big matches for Santos ahead. He’s expected to start this Saturday when they face Atlético-MG at Vila Belmiro. If Neymar stays healthy and sharp, that final World Cup dream is still alive.
BRAD FRIEDEL LABELS WESTON MCKENNIE THE "MOST TALENTED" USMNT PLAYER OVER PULISIC
Brad Friedel sparks debate by naming Weston McKennie as more talented than Christian Pulisic for the USMNT in 2026.
Former USMNT goalkeeper Brad Friedel doesn’t think Christian Pulisic is the top American player right now. In his eyes, Weston McKennie is the most talented option Mauricio Pochettino's got, even though Pulisic usually gets all the attention as “Captain America.”
Pulisic does have his fans, but he hasn’t scored for the national team since 2024 and was pretty quiet during the last international break. The US had a rough time, losing 5-2 to Belgium and 2-0 to Portugal. Those friendlies were supposed to get the team ready for big opponents at the 2026 World Cup, but honestly, they just brought up even more doubts. McKennie was one of the few players who actually looked up for it, and Friedel is absolutely convinced he’s the best talent the US has right now.
The team was missing some key names, too. Miles Robinson, Chris Richards, and Tyler Adams were all out. Richards made it back for the Portugal game, but Adams’ absence in midfield was impossible to ignore. Friedel says people are making too much of these recent defeats. He thinks you have to judge the team on how they do in big tournaments, especially this summer. Still, he admits Adams is the one who keeps everyone connected, and when he’s out there, it makes McKennie better, which ends up making life easier for Pulisic.
Pochettino has a headache picking his squad for the World Cup. He’s still not set on his goalkeeper, his defence, his midfield, or even the attack. According to Friedel, no matter who fills those spots, the USMNT’s hopes really come down to what McKennie and Adams bring to the table.
Talking to Express Sport via Oddspedia, Friedel said, “The U.S. has always needed all our best guys. We’ve never been the kind of team that can go 30 deep and not lose quality except in 2002. That was the only year when anyone could’ve started, and we wouldn’t have missed a beat. Tyler is the glue for the team. He doesn’t care if you’re seven feet tall; if you’re not pulling your weight, he’ll call you out. He’s just that type of player.”
Friedel went on, “I coached a lot of these guys when I ran the under-19s. Weston McKennie is, for me, the most talented footballer we have. He can do so many things, but he needs to be fit and focused. With Juventus this season, he’s looked sharp, and he’s carrying that form into the World Cup. If he’s got Tyler alongside him, no matter where Weston ends up playing, Tyler keeps him disciplined. You always get the best version of McKennie when Adams is on the field. If those two are fit and playing well, they open up the space that lets Christian do what he does best.”
Pochettino is staring down a huge challenge to get this team ready for the World Cup. He knows they’re nowhere near their peak, but he keeps insisting they’re not far off either. If Adams can stay healthy, something that’s been tough for him lately, that would take a lot of pressure off the coach. Without him, it shows. With him, everything just seems to fall into place.
