Dailysports vs Ratingbet vs Foot Africa: the battle of predictions for the third round of AFCON 2025

The AFCON 2026 Round of 16 promises us some incredibly exciting clashes that are sure to deliver unforgettable emotions and high drama. Meanwhile, we continue our thrilling predictions tournament!

Just like in previous rounds, experts from Dailysports will go head-to-head in a forecasting battle against Ratingbet and Foot Africa.

Five electrifying matches, one opportunity to predict the outcomes, and a chance to win Google Play gift cards.

• See also: Africa Cup of Nations 2025. Who has qualified for the knockout stage?

Here’s a reminder of the rules of our game:

• This round features 5 matches.
• You need to predict the result of each one: a win for either side or a draw.
• Winnings are calculated based on the final results of all five matches.
• The editorial team with the highest score wins the round.

List of matches to predict:

• Tanzania vs Morocco: Morocco to win.

In this match, Tanzania are the clear underdogs, but the Tanzanians have already shown they can cause problems for teams with much stronger squads. They drew twice in the group stage—against Tunisia and Uganda—and suffered a narrow 1-2 defeat to star-studded Nigeria. Morocco, meanwhile, were flawless in the group stage, finishing top of their group with 7 points. This stage of the tournament often delivers surprises, but in my opinion, Morocco’s experience and the individual brilliance of their players should see them through to the next round.

• South Africa vs Cameroon: South Africa to win.

Bafana Bafana have been playing mature, skillful football under Hugo Broos. However, Cameroon are world-renowned for their fast and technically gifted players who shine on the big stage, regardless of generation. The Indomitable Lions are considered one of the tournament favorites, as shown by their confident group stage performance—they finished second, only missing out on top spot to Ivory Coast on goal difference. While South Africa are seen as underdogs here, I believe Broos’ squad are in much better physical shape. Their defensive resilience and lightning-fast counterattacks are their trademark, and that will be the key in this fixture.

• Nigeria vs Mozambique: Nigeria to win.

For me, Nigeria are the clear favorites in this matchup. The Super Eagles’ powerful attack—featuring Osimhen, Chukwueze, and Onuachu—secured them the top spot in the group with a perfect record: three wins, zero losses. Mozambique advanced from the group stage as the best third-placed team, with just one win (3-2 over Gabon) earning them a spot in the Round of 16. However, I don’t see any chance for an upset here; the gulf in class is simply too great.

• Algeria vs DR Congo: Algeria to win.

This is arguably one of the most thrilling and intriguing ties of the Round of 16. Algeria are famed for their technical mastery and star players like Mahrez, Zidane, Bennacer, Ait-Nouri, and others. Their group stage journey was flawless: three wins over Burkina Faso, Sudan, and Equatorial Guinea, scoring 7 goals and conceding only once, making Algeria one of the standout teams of the tournament.

As for DR Congo, they are known as a tough, fearless side ready to take on any opponent, no matter their reputation. The Congolese had a strong group stage, winning against Benin and Botswana and drawing with star-studded Senegal, which saw them finish second in the group—just behind Senegal on goal difference. While DR Congo have every reason to dream of a tournament upset, I believe Algeria’s experience will be the decisive factor here.

• Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso: Ivory Coast to win.

Ivory Coast boast one of the most talented squads in the entire tournament. They confidently won their group, finishing top with 7 points and a +2 goal difference. Traditionally, the Elephants are always among the main contenders for medals, making them clear favorites against a modest but disciplined Burkina Faso side. While Burkina Faso are tough and well-organized, they simply don’t match up to Ivory Coast in terms of quality.

Come play along with us!

Make your predictions in the comments under the Foot Africa Facebook post. Remember:

• One comment per person: a win for either team or a draw in the match.
• Predictions cannot be edited.
• Try to beat the editorial predictions of Foot Africa, Rating Bet, and Dailysports.
• The top three readers whose returns beat the predictions will win Google Play gift cards.

Test your football knowledge, make your predictions wisely, and show the editorial teams who the real expert is!

Also, subscribe to the Foot Africa Facebook page.