AFCON
Seven Former Champions Storm AFCON 2025 Quarter-Finals
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
Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
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By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
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