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All set for intriguing quarter-final matches

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The quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023 is set to serve some interesting fixtures across the 3 host cities.

The round of 16 provided some exciting games coupled with shocks and some of the favorites ended up exiting the competition including defending champions and 2022 World Cup semi finalist, Morocco.

Here are the games to pay attention to in the quarter-finals and how things are expected to turn out.

  • Nigeria v Angola 

The Super Eagles will face Angola in the opening quarter-finals of the  AFCON Côte d’lvoire 2023 on Friday, February at the famous Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny.

Angola will be hoping to continue their fairytale against one of the tournament’s favorite, Nigeria.

Nigeria’s resolute defensive unit in William Troost – Ekong, Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi will be put to test by Angola’s forward’s, Jacinto Dala, Gilberto and Mabululu in this fixture.

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Game will be played at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny on Friday, February 2.

  • R Congo v Guinea 

D.R Congo who are yet to win a game in the competition will have Guinea to deal with in the quarter-finals.

Mohamed Bayo has twice been the saviour for Guinea in the AFCON Côte d’lvoire 2023. He scored against Cameroon to help them secure a point and was on target against Equatorial Guinea in the round of 16.

With the 2009 CHAN success in Cotê d’Ivoire in sight, D.R Congo will give it their all against an equally motivated Guinean side.

Game will played on Friday, February 2 at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan.

  • Mali v Cotê d’Ivoire 

The host put up a solid performance to eliminate defending champions, Senegal on penalties in the round of 16.

This followed a disappointing end to their group stage campaign where they lost to both Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea and went ahead to concede 5 goals.

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Cotê d’Ivoire have failed to score from open play in their last three games and will be hoping to make amends with the return of Sébastien Haller upfront.

Mali despite a shaky performance in the group stage put up an improved performance against Burkina Faso in the round of 16.

Game is February 3 at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake.

  • Cape Verde v South Africa

Cape Verde, unbeaten will play South Africa who eliminated 2022 World Cup semi-finalist, Morocco in the round of 16.

The Blue Sharks have had a smooth run throughout the competition unlike South Africa who have been inconsistent with results.

Hugo Broos will count on Evidence Makgopa, Percy Tau and Themba Zwane to deliver against Cape Verde.

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Though a tough one but Cape Verde have seen it all against experienced countries and have had their way through.

Game is on February 3 at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro.

-CAF

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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AFCON

Libya’s AFCON dreams go up in flames!

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The hopes of Libya securing a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations ticket seem to have gone up in smoke.  This is the sequel to the 2-1 defeat that Rwanda inflicted on the Benin Republic on Tuesday evening.

With the result, Libya’s position is further cemented at the bottom of the table. Nigeria, even with an outstanding match, still leads with seven points.

They are followed by Benin Republic who have six points. Rwanda followed with five points.

The star men were  Innocent Nshuti and Djihad Bizimana  who scored in the space of two minutes as Rwanda came from behind to defeat Benin 2-1 at Amahoro Stadium on Tuesday, October 15.

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AFCON

Rwanda breaks 12-year jinx in victory over Benin Republic

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FILE PHOTO: Rwanda players celebrate in the dressing room after beating Lesotho 1-0 on Tuesday in Durban, South Africa, to go top of Group C in the ongoing World Cup 2026 qualifiers-courtesy.

Rwanda’s defeat of Benin Republic is not just their first win in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series, the victory terminates a 12-year winless streak against the Cheetah of Benin.

It is also a renewal of their hopes of qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. But they still have two more games to play.

The German made two changes from the side that started against Benin last week as Samuel Gueulette and Emmanuel Imanishimwe came in for Kevin Muhire and Claude Niyomugabo respectively.

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AFCON

Libya vs Nigeria: CAF lifts the burden off Nigeria

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The press release on Tuesday by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) may have lifted a burden off Nigeria as the match with Libya is considered postponed rather than the Super Eagles refusing to play.

The continental body remarked that the matter would be referred to the competent CAF bodies.

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