Quarter final lineup. The final Eight.

Here’s how the last eight stack up:
Friday, 9 January 2026
 Mali vs Senegal – Grand Stade de Tanger, Tangier
This West African derby pits an unbeaten Senegal against a resilient Mali side. Mali
advanced past Tunisia on penalties with ten men, showcasing guts and tactical discipline.
Senegal, unbeaten in AFCON knockout play and boasting consistency throughout the
tournament, will start as favorites but can’t take Mali lightly.

Cameroon vs Morocco – Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
A classic clash steeped in continental history. Five-time champions Cameroon arrive off a
dramatic 2-1 Round of 16 win over South Africa, while hosts Morocco rode Brahim Díaz’s
goal to a 1-0 victory over Tanzania. Morocco — backed by passionate home support — will
view this as a golden chance to march deep, though Cameroon’s pedigree makes them
formidable opponents.
Saturday, 10 January 2026

Nigeria vs Algeria – Grand Stade de Marrakech
Nigeria stormed into the quarters with a commanding 4-0 performance against
Mozambique, led by a brace from Victor Osimhen. Algeria edged a tight DR Congo tie 1-0 in
extra time courtesy of a late Adil Boulbina strike. While this promises to be a tactical chess
match, Nigeria’s attacking fluidity could be the difference.

Egypt vs Côte d’Ivoire – Grand Stade d’Agadir
Defending champions Côte d’Ivoire showed their class with a commanding 3-0 win over
Burkina Faso, while Egypt, led by Mohamed Salah, overcame Benin 3-1 after extra time. This
is one of the most tantalizing ties on paper — two experienced, star-studded sides with
everything to play for.

Tournament Favorites and Key Storylines
As the field narrows, several teams have emerged as serious contenders:

Rank Team Outright Winner Odds (Indicative).

1 Morocco ~3.00
2 Senegal ~4.50
3 Nigeria ~6.00
4 Algeria ~9.00
5 Côte d’Ivoire ~9.00
Odds are approximate and subject to change as the tournament evolves.

Hosts Morocco carry huge expectations — buoyed by a potent attack and home support — but also
face scrutiny over tactical caution. Senegal’s balance and unbeaten run make them true contenders,
while Nigeria’s attacking flair and Algeria’s tactical pragmatism give both teams strong claims. Côte
d’Ivoire’s defending champions tag ensures they’re never out of the conversation.
A few individual stars have defined this AFCON:
Brahim Díaz (Morocco) lethal in front of goal and a constant menace.
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) dominant and clinical, especially in the last round.
Mohamed Salah (Egypt) still delivering in clutch moments.
Sadio Mané (Senegal) leading from the front with creativity and assists.
Adil Boulbina (Algeria) extra-time hero.

What to expect this weekend.

With the quarter-finals upon us, AFCON 2025 is set to deliver more drama, joy, heartbreak, and
unforgettable moments. The battle lines are drawn, the fans are ready — and African football’s
biggest stage is just heating up.
Stay tuned: the race for continental glory is far from over.