Cameroon take on South Africa in a round of 16 tie in the Africa Cup of Nations tonight, with two continental giants facing off for a place in the last eight.
Five-time winners Cameroon are the second-most successful side in competition history, and though the Indomitable Lions are yet to lose at this year’s edition, their group-stage performances have been somewhat unconvincing.
Despite boasting Premier League stars such as Bryan Mbeumo and Carlos Baleba, Cameroon aren’t regarded among the favourites for the tournament at present, and they’ll be looking for better performances in the knockout rounds to change that.
However, they face one of the more difficult last-16 ties as they take on South Africa, who came through second in Group B. Bafana Bafana are under-achievers in this tournament, having won it just once in 1996, but their close-fought match against Egypt shows they can always challenge the best sides on the continent.
Follow all the latest updates below:
Read MoreAfcon 2025: Fixtures, results, tables and schedule in full from Africa Cup of Nations
Gabon government sack team over Afcon failure
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South Africa vs Cameroon live
- South Africa face Cameroon in the round of 16 at Afcon, with kick-off at 7pm | Live on 4Seven
- Five-time winners Cameroon are yet to lose in this year's tournament
- South Africa qualified second in Group B after a narrow loss to Egypt
Hugo Broos warns South Africa must improve
17:50 , Jack Rathborn"I have to agree that I'm not really happy with the performance or the way some players are acting on the pitch. That is true. Again, that is something we have to work on," Hugo Broos said after victory over Zimbabwe.
"We have to know that the progression we made in the last two or three years is not a guarantee that you come on the pitch and you win the game. I said it already before the tournament: it will be tougher for us than the tournament two years ago.
"Now, everybody knows what a good team we are and the mindset of the opponent is totally different. Yes, we have to adapt to that, knowing that it will not be easy anymore. We will have to play every game at 100% of our talents and our qualities. If we don't do that with the right mentality, we will always be in trouble."
Cameroon head coach David Pagou on Hugo Broos
17:40 , Jack Rathborn“Hugo Broos is a great coach,” Pagou said. “He won the Afcon with Cameroon in 2017. I remember attending a coaching course where he explained his ideas, and I believed in his abilities. He has had a career worthy of admiration. For us, it goes beyond motivation — what I want from my players is maximum focus.
“Hugo Broos is a role model for me. We are building a team step by step with these players. They are committed, and we will show that we can compete with big teams. We did not expect this level of performance, but we will keep improving and stay fully focused.”
Aubameyang hits back at Gabon government after drastic Afcon sackings
17:30 , Jack RathbornGabon’s government have announced the suspension of the national team, the sacking of the coach and removal of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the squad in the wake of three defeats at the Africa Cup of Nations finals.
Gabon’s Minister of Sports announced on television the suspension of the national team after they finished last in their group and were eliminated from the tournament in Morocco.
“Given the Panthers’ disgraceful performance at the Africa Cup of Nations, the government has decided to dissolve the coaching staff, suspend the national team until further notice, and exclude players Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang,” said acting sports minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula after Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to the Ivory Coast in Marrakech.
Neither Aubameyang nor veteran defender Ecuele Manga played on Wednesday with Aubameyang having returned to his French cub Olympique de Marseille for treatment on a thigh injury.
The former African Footballer of the Year responded on social media, saying on X: "I think the team's problems are much deeper than the individual I am.”
Gabon government sack team over Afcon failure
Afcon 2025 latest odds - winner
17:20 , Jack RathbornMorocco: 2/1
Senegal: 3/1
Nigeria: 13/2
Egypt: 8/1
Algeria: 9/1
Ivory Coast: 11/1
Mali: 22/1
Cameroon: 22/1
DR Congo: 28/1
South Africa: 40/1
South Africa v Cameroon predicted line-ups
17:10 , Jack RathbornSouth Africa predicted line-up: Williams; Mudau, Modiba, Mbokazi, Ngezana; Mokoena, Aubaas, Mbule; Mofokeng, Appollis, Foster
Cameroon predicted line-up: Epassy; Tolo, Kotto, Malone; Yongwa, Baleba, Namaso, Tchamadeu, Ebong; Mbeumo, Kofane
South Africa vs Cameroon team news
17:00 , Jack RathbornGoalkeeper Ronwen Williams has proven vital to South Africa’s chances, with Sphephelo Sithole not included in the line-up against Zimbabwe due to a tactical reason.
Relebohile Mofokeng is in contention, with Sipho Mbule poised to play again.
Man United’s Bryan Mbeumo will lead Cameroon’s chances, with Carlos Baleba thriving in midfield; both players are rested after coming off at half-time against Mozambique to protect them against a potential suspension.
But captain Nouhou Tolo is dealing with a hamstring injury, with Christopher Wooh set to deputise.
South Africa vs Cameroon
16:50 , Jack Rathborn Captain Victor Osimhen vows to 'trample on any team' Nigeria face
16:40 , Jack RathbornNigeria captain Victor Osimhen has declared his team is ready to “trample on any team” they face at the Afcon 2025, with Mozambique up next on Monday.
"Yes, I would count my country as one of the favourites," Osimhen said.
"We are one of the most feared teams in this tournament. Any team can come and play us. If they are good, they can scale through, but if they are not we can trample on any team because this team has got the quality to do damage to any big team, any good team in this tournament.
"We respect every team that progresses to the next round and any one we meet in the next round they are going to see the fighting spirit of Nigeria.
"The round of 16 is going to be even tougher than the group stages so the boys are ready to give everything. But the team is ready to face any opponent. We respect any team that scales through but we are not scared of anybody."
South Africa vs Cameroon head-to-head and form
16:30 , Jack RathbornSouth Africa hold the edge from previous meetings against Cameroon, with three victories five draws and just one defeat.
It's been almost 10 years since these teams met, though, with a goalless draw coming in 2016.
There isn't much in the form, either, with South Africa winning 2/3 in their group, while Cameroon won two and drew one. And Bafana Bafana have scored five in three games to Cameroon's four in three games, though they have conceded (2) one less than today's rivals (3)
South Africa and Cameroon set for Afcon last 16 battle
13:32 , Jack RathbornSouth Africa take on Cameroon tonight for a place in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations at the Al Barid Stadium in Rabat
And this one should be a cracker! Bafana Bafana were bronze medallists in 2023, while the Indomitable Lions are five-time champions.
South Africa are here thanks to a runners-up finish in Group B, while Cameroon were second in Group F, just behind the defending champions Ivory Coast.
The winner will tackle Morocco or Tanzania in the last eight.
Afcon 2025: Round of 16
13:27 , Jack RathbornSunday, January 4, 2026
Morocco v Tanzania | 4:00 PM | Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, Rabat, Morocco
South Africa v Cameroon | 7:00 PM | Stade El Barid, Rabat, Morocco
Monday, January 5, 2026
Egypt v Benin | 4:00 PM | Le Grand Stade Agadir, Agadir, Morocco
Nigeria v Mozambique | 7:00 PM | Complexe Sportif de Fès, Fès, Morocco
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Algeria v DR Congo | 4:00 PM | Stade Prince Moulay Al Hassan, Rabat, Morocco
Ivory Coast v Burkino Faso | 7:00 PM | Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech, Morocco
