Some sides have breezed into this stage, while for others it has been more of a struggle, but in knockout football it is what you do on the day that counts.
Mali vs Senegal
Friday, 17h00 local time (16h00 GMT) – Tangier
A West African derby between two familiar foes, with Senegal possessing the obvious star quality, but Mali having proven scrappers who can overturn the odds. Mali coach Tom Saintfiet has built a career on getting the best out of underdogs and will have his side expertly prepared from a tactical point of view. Then it comes down to execution.
Senegal have quality across the pitch and have grown as the competition has gone on. They have only faced Guinea (53 times) more than Mali (40) in full international football, and lead the head-to-head 19–8 with 13 draws. They have not lost to their regional rivals since 1997, a run of 13 games, of which they have won four and drawn nine. Their only previous Cup of Nations meeting was a 1–1 group-stage draw in 2004.
Mali, who have reached this stage with four draws in the 2025 edition, have an excellent quarter-final record, having won six of their previous seven ties at this stage. Their only loss was in extra-time to hosts Ivory Coast two years ago. Senegal are unbeaten in 15 Cup of Nations matches, not including penalty shoot-outs, their longest-ever run without defeat. Their last loss was to Algeria in the 2019 final.
Cameroon vs Morocco
Friday, 20h00 local time (19h00 GMT) – Rabat
There will be intense pressure on hosts Morocco as the competition reaches its business end. They have yet to truly hit their straps, relying on the goal-scoring instincts of Brahim Díaz and Ayoub El Kaabi, the only two players to find the back of the net for them in their opening four games.
Cameroon have been quietly efficient and boast an excellent batch of youngsters who have powered them this far. Morocco often flatter to deceive at the Cup of Nations, last lifting the title 50 years ago despite fielding several excellent teams in the decades since. However, they have proven unbeatable at home in recent years and are packed with European-based experience.
Meetings between these sides have been relatively rare, with just 13 previous encounters. Cameroon lead the head-to-head 6–2, with five draws. They have met three times at the Cup of Nations, most recently in 1992, with Cameroon winning two of those matches and drawing the other. Cameroon’s average possession in this tournament (43.2%) is the lowest of all eight quarter-finalists.
It is remarkable, given their history, that this is only Morocco’s fifth continental quarter-final. From the previous four, they have advanced once, in 2004, when they finished as losing finalists.
Algeria vs Nigeria
Saturday, 17h00 local time (16h00 GMT) – Marrakech
Nigeria have arguably been the most impressive side in the competition so far, minor on-field squabbles aside. They have romped into the quarter-finals, scoring 12 goals in the process, and look much improved on the team that meekly failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Algeria have not been as flashy, but have also won all four of their games to date, conceding just once, and this will be a fascinating contrast in styles. The teams have met on 23 previous occasions, with Algeria leading the head-to-head 10–8, alongside five draws. The Super Eagles’ last win came in a World Cup qualifier in 2016.
This is a repeat of the 2019 Cup of Nations semi-final, which Algeria won 2–1 thanks to a William Troost-Ekong own goal and a 95th-minute Riyad Mahrez strike. Since first becoming champions in 1990, Algeria have reached six quarter-finals and advanced only twice, finishing fourth in 2010 and lifting the trophy again in 2019. They had exited in the group stages of the previous two editions without winning a game.
Nigeria are masters of this stage of the competition. Since the quarter-finals were introduced in 1992, they have contested 11 ties and won 10 of them. Their only blemish is a 2–1 defeat to hosts Ghana in 2008. Ademola Lookman is their dangerman, with an astonishing seven goal contributions (three goals, four assists) in four games at this tournament.
Egypt vs Ivory Coast
Saturday, 20h00 local time (19h00 GMT) – Agadir
Record seven-time winners Egypt take on an impressive Ivory Coast side full of pace and flair. The Egyptians have been workmanlike to this point but will feel they have several gears still to go through. The Ivorians are the defending champions and were excellent in their Round of 16 victory over Burkina Faso.
Egypt have held sway over the years, with 10 wins to the Ivorians’ five, along with six draws, though the sides have met just once since 2013. That came at the 2021 edition, when Egypt advanced 5–4 on penalties after a 0–0 draw in the Round of 16.
Egypt have won their last five quarter-final ties and six of their 10 overall at this stage. They have conceded 99 goals in Cup of Nations finals history and could bring up an unwanted century in this match. Ivory Coast have been slightly hit-and-miss in the quarter-finals, having played 11 and won seven.
This is a repeat of the 2006 Cup of Nations final, where Egypt triumphed on penalties after a 0–0 draw. Egypt are seeking to extend their record tally of titles to eight, having not lifted the trophy since completing a hat-trick of championships in 2010. They then inexplicably failed to qualify for three consecutive editions and have since lost finals in 2017 and 2021.