By Kunle Solaja, Fes enroute Casablanca

Seven former champions and Mali have secured places in the quarter-finals as the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 enters its decisive phase, setting the stage for a sequence of heavyweight encounters across the country.

The last-eight line-up was confirmed on Tuesday night following the conclusion of a compelling Round of 16 that lived up to the tournament’s reputation for drama and intensity.

Defending champions Côte d’Ivoire and record seven-time winners Egypt headline an imposing cast that also includes former champions Senegal, Cameroon, Nigeria and Algeria, alongside ambitious West African challengers Mali and tournament hosts Morocco.

Egypt, the most successful nation in AFCON history, booked their passage with a hard-fought extra-time victory over Benin, underlining their enduring pedigree at the continental showpiece. Holders Côte d’Ivoire kept alive hopes of a successful title defence with a commanding 3–0 win over Burkina Faso.

Backed by passionate home support, Morocco edged past Tanzania to advance, continuing their strong run following their historic achievement as the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of a FIFA World Cup. Senegal, champions in 2021, maintained their impressive consistency by overcoming Sudan, while Mali again showcased their resilience by defeating Tunisia on penalties despite playing long spells with ten men.

Nigeria underlined their attacking authority with a dominant victory over Mozambique, inspired by a brace from Victor Osimhen, while Algeria needed extra time to see off DR Congo, substitute Adil Boulbina striking late to seal qualification.

The quarter-final line-up promises a series of mouthwatering contests. A standout tie pits Egypt against defending champions Côte d’Ivoire on Saturday, renewing a classic rivalry between two of Africa’s most decorated sides.

Hosts Morocco face a stern examination against five-time champions Cameroon on Friday, in what is expected to be one of the tournament’s most intense fixtures.

An all–West African showdown opens the quarter-finals as Senegal meet Mali on Friday afternoon, while Nigeria and Algeria clash in a battle of continental heavyweights in Saturday’s early kick-off.

With the competition now firmly in its home stretch, the quarter-finals will be played over two days, with the winners advancing to the semi-finals as the race for continental supremacy gathers pace in Morocco.

AFCON 2025 Quarter-final Fixtures

(All kick-off times are local time in Morocco)

Friday, 9 January
17:00 — Mali vs Senegal
20:00 — Cameroon vs Morocco

Saturday, 10 January
17:00 — Algeria vs Nigeria
20:00 — Egypt vs Côte d’IvoireJoin the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

By Kunle Solaja, Fes

Despite images and video clips that circulated widely after Nigeria’s emphatic 4–0 victory over Mozambique, the Nigeria Football Federation has presented a different account of events inside the Super Eagles’ camp, dismissing suggestions of internal discord as misplaced and exaggerated.

The win, which sent the three-time champions into the quarter-finals of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, was briefly overshadowed by speculation following footage showing striker Victor Osimhen gesturing towards fellow forward Ademola Lookman before a corner kick. Additional videos later emerged on social media, including one showing Osimhen leaving the dressing room in visible frustration and another capturing Alex Iwobi embracing him as he appeared emotionally drained.

According to the NFF, however, the clips that gained traction online merely fuelled rumours that did not reflect the true atmosphere within the squad.

In a statement issued on Tuesday evening, Team Administrator Dayo Enebi Achor played down the reports, insisting that the team remains united and fully focused on the task ahead.

“There is no problem whatsoever in our camp,” Achor said. “What people tried to portray as a crisis between two brothers was addressed and resolved within hours. Everything is calm and focused, and we are presently at training.”

The federation also dismissed claims that striker Jerome Akor Adams had abandoned the team camp after scoring his first-ever AFCON goal against Mozambique. Achor clarified that Adams had received official permission to briefly visit his mother, who was hospitalised in Fès, and returned to the camp in less than an hour.

On the training pitch, all 26 available players took part in Tuesday evening’s session at the Sardienne Complex, with only young defender Ryan Alebiosu continuing his recovery programme.

The Super Eagles will move base to Marrakech on Thursday, where they will face the Algeria national football team and the DR Congo national football team in Saturday’s quarter-final tie, scheduled to kick off at 5pm.

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Algeria booked a mouth-watering quarter-final clash with Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations after edging past DR Congo 1–0 in a bruising Round of 16 encounter decided deep into extra time in Rabat.

Substitute Adil Boulbina delivered the decisive blow in the 118th minute, curling home a sublime strike to break Congolese resistance and send Algeria through to the last eight of the tournament in Morocco.

The contest appeared destined for penalties after 90 minutes of regulation time, and most of extra time failed to produce a goal. But Boulbina, introduced just five minutes earlier in place of Fares Chaibi, produced a moment of brilliance when it mattered most. The Al Duhail forward cut inside to shake off his marker before bending an unstoppable effort beyond goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau, who had kept DR Congo in the game with a string of fine saves.

Algeria started the match on the front foot, dominating early possession and pinning DR Congo deep in their own half. Despite the pressure, clear chances were limited, and Mpasi-Nzau was rarely troubled in the opening exchanges.

DR Congo, however, looked more incisive on the counter. Cedric Bakambu went close in the 25th minute after breaking quickly, only for Luca Zidane to smother his low drive. From the resulting corner, Axel Tuanzebe rose highest but glanced his header just wide. Bakambu threatened again moments later, powering a header from Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross narrowly past the post.

Just before half-time, Algeria nearly struck when Ibrahim Maza surged forward on the break, his low effort drifting agonisingly wide.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Algeria controlling possession and DR Congo posing danger on the break. Mohamed Amoura squandered a golden opportunity with 12 minutes remaining when he burst into the box but failed to apply enough curl, allowing Mpasi-Nzau to save comfortably. At the other end, Zineddine Belaid made a crucial defensive touch to deny Fiston Mayele from close range.

As the match rolled into extra time, fatigue set in, but the intensity rose. Mpasi-Nzau produced two outstanding saves in quick succession to deny Chaibi and Baghdad Bounedjah, seemingly steering the contest toward penalties.

Boulbina’s late intervention finally settled the tie, sparking wild celebrations among the Algerian supporters and heartbreak for the Congolese, who had matched their opponents stride for stride.

The victory sends Algeria into a high-stakes quarter-final against Nigeria, setting up one of the tournament’s most anticipated clashes, while Les Fennecs progress to the last eight for the first time since lifting the title in 2019.

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