AFCON 2025 Quarter-Finals Preview: Four Heavyweight Clashes, History, Stats & Storylines

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals kick off on Friday, bringing with them four blockbuster match-ups featuring some of the continent’s biggest football nations.

‎Some sides have cruised into the last eight, others have battled their way through, but in knockout football, form becomes secondary; it is all about delivering on the day.

‎Here is a full deep-dive into each quarter-final: history, head-to-heads, storylines, key stats, and what to expect when the giants collide.

‎Mali vs Senegal

‎Friday, 17:00 WAT – Tangier

‎A fierce West African derby opens the quarter-final slate as Senegal face neighbours Mali a clash packed with physicality, tactical discipline, and deep historical familiarity.

‎Tactical Battle & Team Form

‎Senegal enters as favourites, boasting quality across the pitch and improving steadily as the tournament has unfolded. Under pressure, they remain composed. They are unbeaten in 15 AFCON matches (excluding penalty shootouts), their best run ever.

‎Mali, meanwhile, has drawn all four of its matches so far but has proven extremely difficult to break down. Coach Tom Saintfiet, known for maximising underdog squads, has drilled his team into a compact, disciplined unit capable of frustrating even elite opponents.

‎Head-to-Head History

‎These nations know each other almost too well. Senegal has played Mali 40 times more than any other country.

‎They hold a dominant 19–8 advantage, with 13 draws, and crucially, they have not lost to Mali since 1997. Their only AFCON meeting ended 1–1 in the 2004 group stages.

‎Knockout Trends

‎Mali has a surprisingly elite quarter-final pedigree six wins in seven attempts. Senegal, for all their stature, has historically struggled at this stage, though recent form suggests a new level of maturity.

‎Senegal has the firepower, Mali has the grind. Expect a nervy finish.

‎Cameroon vs Morocco

‎Friday, 20:00 WAT – Rabat

‎Hosts Morocco face their biggest test yet as they come up against a youthful, energetic Cameroon side. The pressure will be enormous home expectations, 50 years without a title, and a squad considered good enough to go all the way.

‎Morocco Under Pressure

‎Despite their star-studded squad, Morocco has not fully clicked. They’ve relied entirely on Brahim Díaz and Ayoub El Kaabi the only two Moroccan goalscorers so far.

‎There is quality everywhere, but the fluency is missing. Morocco has been almost unbeatable at home in recent years.

‎Cameroon’s Quiet Efficiency

‎This Cameroon team is not loaded with big names, but they are cohesive, athletic, and tactically sharp. Their young core has powered them to the last eight with minimum fuss.

‎They average the lowest possession (43.2%) among quarter-finalists, but are ruthless in transition.

‎Head-to-Head Story

‎These two rarely meet, with only 13 previous encounters, but Cameroon leads 6–2 with five draws. At AFCON they’ve met three times (last in 1992), with Cameroon unbeaten in all.

‎Quarter-Final Records

‎This is remarkably just Morocco’s fifth AFCON quarter-final ever, progressing only once (2004). Cameroon, meanwhile, is seasoned at this level.

‎Morocco has the home crowd and experience; Cameroon has momentum and fearlessness. A genuine toss-up.

‎Algeria vs Nigeria

‎Saturday, 17:00 WAT – Marrakech

‎Arguably the tie of the round. Nigeria and Algeria, two giants with contrasting styles and a history of classic battles, go head-to-head in what promises to be a thrilling contest.

‎Nigeria: The Tournament’s Most Impressive Attack

‎Nigeria has been superb, scoring 12 goals so far and playing with renewed confidence after failing to reach the 2026 World Cup. Despite minor on-field disagreements, their football has been fast, fluid, and ruthless.

‎Ademola Lookman has been sensational, 7 goal contributions (3G, 4A) in 4 games.

‎Algeria: Stability Over Spectacle

‎Algeria has not dazzled, but they have been extremely efficient winning all four matches and conceding only once. Their defensive structure is among the best in the tournament.

‎A Fiery Rivalry

‎The nations have met 23 times. Algeria leads 10–8 with five draws. Nigeria’s last victory came in 2016.

‎This is also a rematch of the 2019 semi-final, where Algeria won 2–1 thanks to a 95th-minute Riyad Mahrez free kick.

‎Quarter-Final Patterns

‎Nigeria is are master of this stage, 11 quarter-finals played 10 wins.

‎Algeria, in contrast, has advanced only twice from six quarter-finals since winning its first title in 1990.

‎Nigeria’s firepower vs Algeria’s organisation. Expect a tense, high-quality chess match with big-moment potential.

‎Egypt vs Ivory Coast

‎Saturday, 20:00 WAT – Agadir

‎A clash dripping with history and prestige. Record seven-time champions Egypt take on defending champions Ivory Coast in a match worthy of a final.

‎Egypt: Workmanlike but Dangerous

‎Egypt has not dazzled, but they rarely do in early rounds. Their game is built on discipline, patience, and tournament savvy. They know how to grow into competitions and they tend to peak late.

‎Ivory Coast: Pacey, Creative, Unpredictable

‎The Elephants have been one of the more entertaining sides, filled with speed and flair. Their Round of 16 win over Burkina Faso was a statement aggressive, confident, and clinical.

‎Head-to-Head History

‎Egypt leads the rivalry with 10 wins to the Ivory Coast’s five, plus six draws. They have met only once since 2013, at AFCON 2021, a match Egypt won on penalties after a 0–0 draw.

‎This fixture also famously produced the 2006 AFCON final, where Egypt again won on penalties after another goalless draw.

‎Quarter-Final Background

‎Egypt has won its last five quarter-final ties. Ivory Coast has played 11 matches, winning seven.

‎Egypt has conceded 99 goals in AFCON history, and an unwanted 100th could arrive in this game.

Egypt brings pedigree and experience, while the Ivory Coast brings speed and flair. It’s a true heavyweight showdown.