By the time the quarter-finals arrive in a tournament like this, the pressure is greater, and fans of the teams still in contention are brimming with belief, because the taste of glory is now within touching distance.
AFCON 2025 has reached that point.
Eight teams remain. All are ranked inside Africa’s top ten, the first time this has happened since FIFA introduced its rankings in 1992.
None of them have stumbled here by accident. Some have impressed, some have endured, but every one of them has had to survive something already — a late goal, extra time, penalties, a night when the tournament threatened to turn on them.
So this is no longer about potential.
The tournament is now at a stage where the story is about consequence.
And by the end of the weekend, half of these teams will be gone.
It is no longer softball here.
Here, Elegbete TV Sports breaks down the AFCON 2025 quarter-final matchups.
Mali v Senegal — Tanger
This is going to be an intriguing matchup. Mali haven’t made much noise in terms of results, but they’ve fought their way here with resilience and grit, proving they have character.
They are yet to win a game, drawing all of their group-stage fixtures. In the Round of 16 against Tunisia, they conceded in the 88th minute and looked destined to be knocked out. But a penalty in the 90+6th minute forced extra time. Despite losing the first penalty in the shootout after Tunisia had scored, Mali turned it around to claim victory. A stunning display of resilience.
Senegal’s story has been very different. They dominated the group stage, and when Sudan tried to threaten them in the Round of 16 by scoring first, having gone scoreless in the group phase, Senegal responded with authority, turning the game around to win 3-1 and progress comfortably.
On paper, Senegal is the stronger side. They have the edge in talent, physicality, and depth. But Mali has shown they can compete, that they cannot be easily overrun, and that character can make the difference when the stakes are highest.
Tomorrow’s clash promises to be fierce. Kick-off is at 5 PM WAT at the Grand Stade de Tanger. Senegal will come out hungry to dominate, but Mali will have to show they have the resilience to withstand the storm, and maybe strike back wherever Senegal tries to bite.
Cameroon v Morocco — Rabat
On this one, I’ve spoken to a couple of Moroccans who aren’t confident in their team. Two passengers on the train described coach Walid Regragui as “weak.” These conversations have stemmed from a few struggles the team have faced in the tournament, despite being favorites, the most recent being a less-than-convincing performance against Tanzania in the Round of 16.
All that said, Morocco now face a real test against Cameroon, and the Indomitable Lions themselves will have work to do after their Round of 16 clash with South Africa.
Cameroon’s standout story so far has been Christian Kofane, their 19-year-old Bayer Leverkusen striker. The Lions have scored six goals in this AFCON, but two have been own goals. Of the four legitimate strikes, Kofane has scored two, highlighting his enormous influence on the team. His second, a brilliant header, proved decisive in Cameroon’s 2-1 win over South Africa.
No country has enjoyed facing AFCON host nations more than Cameroon. In 13 previous meetings with hosts, they have lost only twice and are unbeaten in their last six encounters. In knockout matches, they have eliminated the hosts on five occasions. When Morocco last hosted the tournament in 1988, it was Cameroon who defeated them in the semi-finals.
Morocco may not have looked convincing in attack, but their defensive strength is something they can bank on. They’ve conceded just one goal in four games, which is significant when facing a Cameroon side that, among the quarter-finalists, is the second-lowest scorer with six goals — ahead of Mali’s three.
In the overall head-to-head record between the two sides, Cameroon have won six, Morocco two, with five draws. For a Moroccan team that has not always shown bite, the weight of history will loom large. Fans will be hoping the luck of playing at home shines on them.
However, history and stats aside, either team that progresses to the semi-finals will have earned it. This promises to be a clash of resilience, character, and moments that could define careers, a game that might just be decided in inches or inspiration.
Algeria v Nigeria — Marrakech
Throw it back to July 14, 2019. Nigeria were up against Algeria in the semi-final of the 2019 AFCON in Egypt. It was 90+5 on the clock, and extra time was looming as the score sat at 1-1. Then Riyad Mahrez stepped up to curl a free kick behind Daniel Akpeyi’s goal, sending Algeria into the final and driving a dagger into the hearts of the Nigerian team and their fans.
It’s 2026 now, and revenge is on the minds of many Nigerians. The chance comes on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at the Stade de Marrakech. Algeria will stand in Nigeria’s way to reach the semi-finals of the 2025 AFCON, just as Nigeria will stand in Algeria’s.
Nigeria’s tournament has gathered pace with each round. Their Round of 16 performance was the most complete attacking display of the knockout stage — aggressive, direct, and ruthless. They thrashed Mozambique 4-0 to reach this stage and have scored 12 goals in four games.
If Nigeria are to progress, they will need to continue doing what they have done best in this tournament: score freely and relentlessly. Algeria have conceded just one goal so far, meaning this is shaping up as a classic best defense versus best attack showdown.
Algeria’s defense will have a lot of battles to fight. Is it even possible to stop Lookman, Osimhen, and Akor Adams from finding the net? It may not be. Their best hope could be to try to outscore Nigeria, but Nigeria have shown they will always find a way to score. The real question is whether Algeria can match them.
On paper, Nigeria are favorites. They have played the most exciting football, backed it up with the highest number of goals, and carried a sense of momentum. But in a clash like this, style counts for nothing. What matters is who can stay strongest under the toughest pressure, on the night that will test every ounce of resolve.
Will Nigeria stay strongest, or will Algeria prove tougher? In a few hours, we will have our answer.
Egypt v Ivory Coast — Agadir
It’s a clash between the record winners of the Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt, and the defending champions, Ivory Coast.
Hossam Hassan’s Egypt have looked strong over the last couple of months, cruising through their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign and arriving at this tournament with confidence and momentum.
The Pharaohs eased through the group stage, but the Round of 16 proved tougher. They needed extra-time to see off Benin at the Stade Adrar in Agadir, with goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mohamed Salah sealing a 3–1 victory.
Ivory Coast’s story still feels like something from a script. At the 2023 AFCON, Emerse Faé was appointed mid-tournament and went on to lead Les Éléphants to a remarkable triumph. That sense of belief has carried over into this campaign.
They were outstanding in their Round of 16 tie against Burkina Faso, winning 3–0 with Manchester United’s Amad Diallo and RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande producing performances full of speed, invention and menace.
This one promises to be end-to-end.
Egypt have scored six goals so far, two of them in extra time. Ivory Coast have eight, the most free-flowing coming in their last two matches, and they have conceded just three.
It feels like a meeting of old power and new energy. Can Egypt’s defence slow the relentless, youthful Ivorian attack? And can Ivory Coast’s back line contain the experience of Mohamed Salah and the dazzling movement of Omar Marmoush?
On a night like this, history meets hunger. Something will have to give.
The 2025 AFCON has reached the quarter-finals, the point where every team understands exactly who they are and what is required.
There is no more softball. No room for error. From here on, every decision carries consequences.
