Mohamed Salah (with hands raised) will lead Egypt against Côte d’Ivoire on Saturday

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Heavyweights clash as AFCON 2025 quarter-final fixtures confirmed

Graphic.com.gh Sports News Jan - 07 - 2026 , 15:06 2 minutes read

The quarter-final line-up for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 has been confirmed, setting up a series of heavyweight clashes as Africa’s premier football tournament enters its decisive phase.

The quarter-final schedule promises a series of exciting encounters as the competition builds towards its climax, with matches to be played over two days and the winners advancing to the semi-finals in the race for continental supremacy in Morocco.

The eight nations secured their places following the conclusion of an absorbing Round of 16 on Tuesday, January 6, as Africa’s flagship competition continued to deliver mouthwatering encounters.

Defending champions Côte d’Ivoire and record seven-time winners Egypt headline an imposing last-eight line-up that also features former champions and established contenders Senegal, Cameroon, Nigeria and Algeria, alongside ambitious West African rivals Mali and tournament hosts Morocco.

Egypt, the most successful nation in AFCON history, booked their quarter-final berth with a hard-fought extra-time victory over Benin, while holders Côte d’Ivoire kept their title defence alive with a convincing 3–0 win over Burkina Faso, maintaining hopes of back-to-back crowns.

Hosts Morocco, buoyed by passionate home support and their historic status as the first African nation to reach a FIFA World Cup semi-final, edged past Tanzania to progress.

Senegal, crowned champions in 2021, extended their impressive consistency with victory over Sudan, while Mali underlined their reputation as one of the tournament’s most resilient sides by defeating Tunisia on penalties despite playing much of the match with ten men.

Nigeria showcased their attacking strength with a commanding win over Mozambique, inspired by a brace from Victor Osimhen, while Algeria needed extra time to overcome DR Congo, with substitute Adil Boulbina striking late to seal qualification.

Among the standout ties is a blockbuster clash between Egypt, the tournament’s most decorated nation with seven titles, and defending champions Côte d’Ivoire on Saturday.

Hosts Morocco will face a stern test against five-time African champions Cameroon in what promises to be one of the most intense quarter-finals on Friday.

An all–West African showdown will see reigning champions Senegal take on a resilient and talented Mali side in Friday’s opening match.

Elsewhere, Nigeria meet Algeria in a clash of continental heavyweights in Saturday’s first quarter-final.