Overview
- Cameroon clinched second place in Group F by beating Mozambique 2–1, with teenager Christian Kofane scoring the winner.
- South Africa progressed as Group B runners-up on six points after defeats of Angola and Zimbabwe and a narrow loss to Egypt.
- FIFA rankings place Cameroon 57th and South Africa 61st, underscoring a small gap between the teams.
- The round-of-16 meeting is set for 4 January in Rabat, with other confirmed ties including Nigeria v Mozambique and Ivory Coast v Burkina Faso.
- Midfielder Mohau Nkota said Bafana are ready for the knockout test and focused on preparation and recovery.