Morocco and Senegal continued their impressive Africa Cup of Nations campaigns yesterday as the quarterfinal stage delivered two compelling results that have set the tone for the rest of the knockout rounds.
In Friday’s opening pair of quarter-finals, the host nation Morocco secured a 2–0 victory over Cameroon at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, while Senegal edged out Mali 1–0 in Tangier to book their places in the semifinals.
Morocco’s win over Cameroon was marked by a composed, tactical display and clinical finishing that thrilled the home crowd. Real Madrid star Brahim Díaz continued his fine form, scoring his fifth goal of the tournament in the first half, which also makes him the tournament's highest goal scorer, before Ismael Saibari sealed the result in the second half with a precise low strike that left the Cameroonian defence unable to respond. The hosts dominated possession and controlled the match, bringing jubilation to fans who had turned out in force across Morocco for this year’s showcase event.
Meanwhile, in Tangier, Senegal overcame a resilient Mali side in a tight West African derby. The Teranga Lions capitalised on a rare goalkeeping error to take the lead in the 27th minute through Iliman Ndiaye and then relied on disciplined defending and game management to preserve their narrow advantage through the final whistle. Mali’s task was made more difficult after they were reduced to ten men when captain Yves Bissouma received a second yellow card for an offence just before halftime, but even with the numerical disadvantage, they fought admirably against the continental heavyweights like they did against Tunisia, which they eliminated via a penalty shootout in the round of 16.
These wins not only extend the impressive runs of Morocco and Senegal at this edition of AFCON but also underline the intense competition and close margins that often define knockout football.
The results have set up a tantalising series of matches today, with two quarterfinal ties scheduled to determine the remaining semifinalists.
First up this afternoon, Algeria will face Nigeria in a clash that promises to be a high-tempo battle between two teams known for their attacking talents and robust midfields. Nigeria arrive with confidence after a strong showing in the Round of 16. At the same time, Algeria have been defensively sound throughout the tournament, making this encounter a tactical chess match between two rapidly improving sides.
Later today, Egypt will take on the Ivory Coast in what many observers are calling one of the most evenly matched fixtures on the schedule. Egypt’s campaign has been driven by experienced stars and a balanced approach across all areas of the pitch. At the same time, the Ivory Coast boast a mix of youthful energy and seasoned leadership that has unsettled opponents throughout the competition. Both teams will be fighting not just for a spot in the semifinals but also to keep alive their aspirations of lifting Africa’s premier football trophy.
As attention turns to these fixtures, fans across the continent are bracing for another day of drama, skill, and the passionate display that has already characterised AFCON 2025. With Morocco and Senegal awaiting their opponents in the semifinals, today’s results will complete the picture of the final four and bring the tournament one step closer to its thrilling conclusion.
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