The quarter-final line-up for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 is now largely set following a series of decisive Round of 16 matches, with Algeria completing the roster of teams advancing to the last eight. The Desert Foxes secured a dramatic 1–0 extra-time victory over DR Congo on Tuesday in Rabat, thanks to substitute Anis Boulbina, who scored in the 119th minute to send Algeria through. The late winner came after a tense 120 minutes of football, with both sides battling intensely but struggling to break the deadlock. Algeria’s triumph sets up a highly anticipated quarter-final clash against Nigeria, promising a high-stakes encounter between two of Africa’s traditional football powerhouses.
Nigeria had earlier booked their quarter-final spot with an emphatic 4–0 victory over Mozambique on Monday night, demonstrating their attacking prowess and signaling the Super Eagles’ intent for the tournament. Star striker Victor Osimhen led the charge with two clinical goals, while contributions from teammates ensured that Mozambique had little chance to respond. The comprehensive win not only secured Nigeria’s progression but also underlined their reputation as one of the favorites for the trophy. The Super Eagles will now prepare for a challenging clash against Algeria, a team that has traditionally proved resilient in knockout competitions.
Alongside Algeria and Nigeria, several other nations had already confirmed their places in the quarter-finals. Senegal, Mali, hosts Morocco, Cameroon, and Egypt had all navigated their Round of 16 fixtures successfully, setting up an exciting and diverse line-up for the next stage. Each of these teams has demonstrated strong form and squad depth, and their presence ensures a competitive set of quarter-final matches. With Morocco hosting the tournament, the Atlas Lions will enjoy home advantage, adding another layer of intrigue to their upcoming encounters as they aim to capitalize on the support of the local fans in venues across Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech.
Defending champions Côte d’Ivoire were the last team to secure their quarter-final berth after a commanding 3–0 victory over Burkina Faso in Marrakesh on Tuesday night. The Elephants delivered a composed and clinical performance, with Amad Diallo opening the scoring in the 20th minute, followed by Yan Diomandé in the 32nd and a late strike from Bamba Touré in the 87th minute to seal the win. Their dominant display highlighted Côte d’Ivoire’s ambition to defend their title and added a note of caution to their quarter-final opponents, Egypt, who will face the Elephants in what promises to be a high-profile and tightly contested match on Saturday in Agadir.
The upcoming quarter-final schedule offers a compelling mix of fixtures across Morocco’s major cities, with matches set to showcase both emerging talents and established stars of African football. The clash between Algeria and Nigeria is expected to draw significant attention, given the history and rivalry between the two sides, while the meeting of Côte d’Ivoire and Egypt will test the defending champions’ ability to maintain their winning form against one of Africa’s most experienced squads. Meanwhile, other fixtures involving Senegal, Mali, Morocco, and Cameroon will determine who advances to the semi-finals, keeping fans across the continent and around the world engaged in the drama of the knockout stages.
With the quarter-finals now confirmed, the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 promises an exhilarating path toward the final. Defending champions Côte d’Ivoire aim to become the first team in recent history to win back-to-back titles, while traditional powerhouses like Nigeria, Senegal, and Egypt are eager to assert their dominance and make deep runs. As teams prepare in Morocco’s stadiums spanning Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, and Agadir the stage is set for intense battles, unexpected heroes, and moments of footballing brilliance that could define the tournament. Fans will be watching closely as Africa’s best football nations compete for continental glory in what has already been a thrilling championship.
Teams qualified for AFCON 2025 quarter-finals (so far):
Senegal
Mali
Morocco
Cameroon
Egypt
Nigeria
Algeria
Côte d’Ivoire
Confirmed quarter-final fixtures:
Mali vs Senegal – Friday, January 9
Venue: Grand Stade de Tanger, Tangier by 5pm WAT
Cameroon vs Morocco – Friday, January 9
Venue: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat by 9pm WAT
Egypt vs Côte d’Ivoire – Saturday, January 10
Venue: Stade Adrar, Agadir by 8pm WAT
Nigeria vs Algeria – Saturday, January 10
Venue: Stade de Marrakech, Ouahat Sidi Brahim by 5pm WAT