The knockout rounds of the Africa Cup of Nations have intensified with unexpected twists and turns, setting the stage for thrilling encounters in the quarter-finals.
Ivory Coast, bouncing back from a humiliating defeat against Equatorial Guinea, shocked the football world by eliminating defending champions Senegal. Meanwhile, Egypt, boasting a rich AFCON history with seven titles, suffered a heartbreaking defeat in a penalty shootout against DR Congo.
Adding to the drama, pre-tournament favorites Morocco were outclassed and eliminated by South Africa, defying expectations and shaking up the tournament dynamics.
With the departure of the top-ranked teams, the quarter-finals present an intriguing mix of matchups and possibilities, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
Nigeria vs Angola:
Before the tournament, many anticipated Nigeria’s dominant performance, especially with their formidable attacking trio consisting of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman from Atalanta, and Moses Simon from Nantes.
However, despite reaching this stage, Nigeria has only managed to score five goals in four games, with Osimhen contributing just one.
Surprisingly, the defense, anchored by Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, and William Troost-Ekong in a solid back three, has been the standout, conceding no goals since their opening game draw against Equatorial Guinea.
Angola, ranked 117th by FIFA, is the lowest-ranked team remaining and is striving to reach the AFCON semi-finals for the first time.
Despite their low ranking, they topped their group, which included Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and 2019 champions Algeria. Angola secured their spot in the last eight by defeating Namibia 3-0, even with goalkeeper Neblu being sent off early in the match.
Gelson Dala from Al Wakrah in Qatar and Mabululu from Al Ittihad in Egypt pose significant threats for Angola, having collectively scored seven goals, more than Nigeria’s entire squad in the tournament.
The encounter will come up on Friday, 6 pm at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan
DR Congo vs Guinea:
Guinea’s performance in their last-16 match against Equatorial Guinea was lackluster until Mohamed Bayo’s stoppage-time header secured their first-ever AFCON knockout-phase victory.
Despite advancing from the group stage as one of the best third-placed teams, Guinea faces challenges, notably with Serhou Guirassy’s fitness concerns.
While the Stuttgart forward has been prolific in the Bundesliga, a thigh injury limits his impact in this tournament. With only three goals scored so far, Guinea relies on Guirassy to ignite their offense for a deeper run.
In contrast, DR Congo has reached the quarter-finals without winning a game, drawing all four matches before eliminating Egypt on penalties.
Sebastien Desabre’s team has shown resilience, bouncing back from deficits in three matches. With forwards Yoane Wissa, Cedric Bakambu, and Silas Katompa, DR Congo poses significant threats to Guinea’s defense.
Both teams lock horns on Friday, 9 pm at Olympique Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan
Mali vs Ivory Coast:
Ivory Coast has defied expectations, rebounding from an early setback against reigning champions Senegal to secure a spot in the quarter-finals.
Under interim head coach Emerse Fae, appointed after Jean-Louis Gasset’s dismissal following the group stage, strategic decisions such as fielding Odilon Kossounou and Jean Michael Seri paid dividends in their last-16 encounter against Senegal.
The return of Sebastien Haller from an ankle injury injects renewed confidence into Ivory Coast, especially as Nigeria, the highest-ranked team remaining, is on the opposite side of the draw, potentially paving the way for Ivory Coast to reach the final.
However, Mali poses a formidable challenge after their 2-1 victory over Burkina Faso. The shared border between the two nations promises an intense atmosphere.
Yves Bissouma’s potential return to the field is pivotal for Mali, although his absence in the previous match tested their reliance on Lassine Sinayoko, whose contributions have been instrumental with three goals in the tournament.
The host will take on Mali on Saturday, 6 pm the at Stade de la Paix, Bouake
Cape Verde vs South Africa:
Morocco demonstrated confidence in the group stage, securing the top spot with two victories and a draw. Despite missing Hakim Ziyech and Sofiane Boufal, they fielded Achraf Hakimi, Sofyan Amrabat, and Noussair Mazraoui in the starting lineup against South Africa in the last 16.
South Africa displayed bravery in their preparations and were rewarded with a remarkable 2-0 win. Evidence Makgopa’s precise finish and Teboho Mokoena’s late free kick ignited their celebration, transforming them from underdogs to genuine contenders. They now confront Cape Verde in the quest for a semi-final berth.
Cape Verde emerged as Group B leaders, competing against Egypt, Ghana, and Mozambique. Despite already securing qualification for the last 16, they faced Egypt in their final match. Despite falling behind to Mostafa Mohamed’s 93rd-minute goal, Bryan Teixeira’s equalizer showcased their resilient spirit.
Their subsequent narrow 1-0 victory over Mauritania, secured with a late penalty, sets the stage for a challenging encounter against South Africa.
The match comes up Saturday, 8pm GMT/3 pm ET at Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro
