A clash of the titans in the AFCON Last 16 sees one of South Africa or Cameroon making an early exit

Click here to watch South Africa vs Cameroon at the AFCON 2025 on BeIN SPORTS 

If either South Africa or Cameroon are to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, then they are going to have to do it the hard way. The winner of this tantalizing Last 16 clash on Sunday that is live on beIN SPORTS will most likely be rewarded, if that is the right word, with a quarterfinal match against Morocco.

The show-stopping nature of this clash is that could easily be a final, but it is instead being played at the Last 16 phase, which means the pressure for the players not to leave AFCON 2025 way too early. 

South Africa made a surprise deep run to the semifinals in the last edition of AFCON and are now led by a coach who knows the Cameroon side, all too well. Hugo Broos was the manager of the Indomitable Lions when they won the title in 2017.

“Tomorrow I can't have mercy, said Broos ahead of Sunday’s match. “I want to win the game tomorrow because I'm coach from South Africa now.” Tellingly, Broos is unbeaten in AFCON knockout matches in open play.

Cameroon’s biggest issue in AFCON 2025 has been up front with just four-group stage goals, the side’s lowest tally since 2019. However, the team went unbeaten, with the highpoint being a 1-1 draw against reigning champions, Ivory Coast. Coach, David Pagou, was keen to praise the collective strength of Sunday’s opponents - “in my opinion, South Africa are the most cohesive team in this competition.”

The Indomitable Lions will need all their star performers at the top of their games, including Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo, who has created eight chances so far in the tournament. But if they continue to fail to be converted, then Cameroon might be making an early exit to Bafana Bafana.

Sunday January 4th
1:50PM ET / 10:50AM PT
South Africa vs. Cameroon live on beIN SPORTS

Watch beIN SPORTS Xtra live for free on YouTube