With the eight remaining teams boasting a combined 22 titles, the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 enters the business end this weekend with a quarter-final line-up packed with pedigree, history and star power.
Seven of the last eight are former champions, something rarely seen at this stage. Only Mali are yet to lift the trophy, but they have earned huge respect with consistent performances in recent editions and arrive with belief they can finally break their drought.
Record winners Egypt lead the pack with seven titles. Cameroon follow with five. Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria have three each, while Algeria, Senegal and host nation Morocco round out the list of past champions still standing. If ever there was a quarter-final lineup worthy of the phrase “no easy games,” this is it.
The road to the last eight has been ruthless. All six group winners — Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria and Nigeria — booked their passage straight through, underlining their form and consistency from the start. Cameroon and Mali joined them as runners-up. None of the third-placed qualifiers survived the round of 16, a sign that experience and composure are already deciding tight matches.
Those knockout ties highlighted just how tough this year’s tournament has become. Mali knocked out Tunisia on penalties after a tense affair. Egypt needed extra time to get across the line. Nigeria smashed Mozambique in a statement win that reminded everyone why they are among the favourites. Algeria survived a late scare, while both Morocco and defending champions Côte d’Ivoire were made to work hard under pressure.
All of that sets up four blockbuster quarter-finals.
On Friday in Marrakesh, defending champions Senegal meet Mali in a West African showdown full of storylines — reigning kings versus contenders itching to make history. Later that evening, hosts Morocco face Cameroon, a five-time champion and rival with a tournament pedigree as strong as anyone’s. With both sides stacked with European-based stars, it could be the game of the round.
Saturday has two more giants colliding. Nigeria take on Algeria — two teams with serious talent, huge fanbases and plenty of AFCON history between them. Then comes a heavyweight headliner: Egypt against Côte d’Ivoire. One nation owns the most titles ever, the other lifted the trophy last time out. The winner will immediately be seen as a clear favourite to go all the way.
Every team left knows what’s at stake: one more win brings a semi-final place and keeps the dream alive. One slip, one mistake, one moment of brilliance could decide everything.
AFCON 2025 Quarter-final matches (Kick-off times in GMT)
Friday, January 9
16:00 — Mali vs Senegal
19:00 — Cameroon vs Morocco
Saturday, January 10
16:00 — Algeria vs Nigeria
19:00 — Egypt vs Côte d’Ivoire
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