After a thrilling Round of 16, filled with intensity, drama, and high-quality football, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 is getting more interesting in Morocco. The title is now between eight nations namely Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Morocco, Cameroon, and Mali who have all booked their place in the quarter-finals, setting up four blockbuster encounters. Four matches and a tournament that is clearly reaching its peak. Morocco vs Cameroon The hosts remain firmly focused on continental glory. Backed by a passionate home crowd, Morocco have relied on defensive solidity, tactical structure, collective intelligence and star players like Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz and African player of the year Achraf Hakimi to progress through the tournament. Cameroon, however, are no strangers to high stakes AFCON matches. The Indomitable Lions have the pedigree, physical presence, and mentality to rise on the biggest occasions. This encounter promises a classic AFCON showdown between ambition and tradition. Kick-off: Friday, January 9, at 21:00 CAT Venue: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat. Algeria vs Nigeria One of the standout fixtures of the quarter-finals pits Nigeria attacking firepower against Algeria tactical discipline. The Super Eagles arrive full of confidence after a commanding 4–0 win over Mozambique, showcasing pace, pressing, and efficiency through Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman. Meanwhile, Algeria had to dig deep to overcome DR Congo 1–0 after extra time substitute Adil Boulbina scored a late screamer to secure a quarterfinal berth. The Fennecs demonstrated resilience, patience, and experience quality that often prove decisive at this stage. Kick-off: Saturday, January 10, 18:00 CAT Venue: Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech Egypt vs Côte d’Ivoire Among the standout ties is a blockbuster meeting between Egypt, the tournament’s most successful nation with seven titles, and defending champions Cote d'Ivoire Egypt’s path to the quarter-finals was anything but straightforward. Pushed to their limits by Benin, the Pharaohs relied on experience and composure to secure a 3–1 extra-time victory, with Mohamed Salah once again leading by example. Côte d’Ivoire, on the other hand, arrive with momentum after an emphatic 3–0 win over Burkina Faso. Balanced, disciplined, and increasingly confident. Kick-off: Saturday, January 10, 21:00 CAT Venue: Grand Stade d’Agadir, Agadir Mali vs Senegal Ibn Batouta Stadium of Tangier will be ablaze this Friday, January 9, when AFCON 2021 champions Senegal and Mali clash in the West African derby. Senegal continue to look solid and composed, blending experience with youthful energy. After winning 3-1 against Sudan, the Lions of Teranga have shown they can manage pressure and deliver in crucial moments. After a hard-fought qualification against Tunisia, despite playing part of the second half with a man down, the Eagles bring discipline, compactness, and threat on the break. With nothing to lose, unless they did not win a single game during the full 90 minutes, experts back Mali to prove a serious challenge. Kick-off: Friday, January 9, 18:00 CAT
