All four AFCON 2025 quarterfinals (played on Friday and Saturday) are compelling matchups, West Africa’s best teams are set to face off with North African rivals as the semifinals will be defined. Here is your preview and prediction for every match from Africa’s biggest football tournament.

Mali vs Senegal (Friday)

Senegal have been a high scoring side and are favored. In their three wins, they combined for nine goals, including a 3-1 win over Sudan in the round of 16, a game they were also expected to win. If Mali can’t limit the Senegal attack, this game won’t be close. Nicolas Jackson and Sadio Mane up front are a dangerous pairing while Kalidou Koulibaly has been a bedrock in defence.

Mali stunned Tunisia on penalties in the round of 16, after going winless in the group stage. They play defensively sound, patient football that could frustrate Senegal. A pair of late goals highlighted their first knockout stage clash, with Lassine Sinayoko scoring a penalty in extra time, and converting his kick in the penalty shootout to push Mali ahead. Going further would likely require Mali to go forward and play some attacking football, and that may be too much to ask. Prediction: Senegal 2 Mali 0

Cameroon vs Morocco (Friday)

Brahim Diaz scored the only goal in Morocco’s 1-0 defeat of Tanzania that was a frustrating affair. Tanzania was content to sit back and let Morocco control the ball, but scoring just one goal against an unheralded side doesn’t inspire confidence for the hosts heading into the quarterfinals. A draw against the aforementioned Mali was also a disappointment for Morocco in the group stage but the best version of this squad has won almost everything since the last AFCON.

Cameroon scored goals via Junior Tchamadeu and Christian Kofane against South Africa in the knockout stage. A late goal gave South Africa a thin reed of hope and they pushed well in the second half but Cameroon, despite less possession and getting outshot, came out winners. Bryan Mbeumo and Cameroon are a bit undervalued right now, and Morocco at home will feel pressure, but ultimately you would expect the host side to have more chances and come out ahead, even if its on penalties. Prediction: Morocco 2 Cameroon 0

Algeria vs Nigeria (Saturday)

I would argue these are the two best teams in the AFCON field, but they meet in the quarterfinals. Nigeria’s powerful attacking football has come alive since the World Cup elimination against DR Congo. They have scored no fewer than 2 goals across four matches and are yet to face defeat. 4-0 over Mozambique was a walk in the park in the round of 16, while the 3-2 win over Tunisia was their best result overall. Ademola Lookman, a brace from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams were the goalscorers in the last game.

Algeria are also undefeated in the tournament and will enter the World Cup with confidence. A 1-0 win over DR Congo in extra time was memorable, even if wasn’t dominant, and ultimately Algeria created more chances than their opponents in that matchup, outshooting DR Congo 12-6. Having players like Ramy Bensebaini in the backline has proven crucial, and now they will face their most difficult test against Nigeria.

Given this is AFCON, and it’s not the same dynamic as World Cup qualifying, Nigeria’s talent is undeniable, their squad is eager to erase bad memories and an upset feels in the cards here, I’m not sure Victor Osimhen can be slowed down. Prediction: Nigeria 3 Algeria 1

Egypt vs Ivory Coast (Saturday)

It’s the defending champions Ivory Coast against the legacy of success that Egypt carries in AFCON. Ivory Coast throttled Burkina Faso 3-0 in the round of 16 and Manchester United’s Amad Diallo is up to three goals this tournament. Egypt beat Benin 3-1 but that came in extra time as frankly it was an underwhelming performance for the Egyptians.

Egypt does just enough to win a lot of matches, and Mohamad Salah is the player in this tournament with the most pedigree, but Ivory Coast’s form is impressive, and they should be favored. Prediction: Ivory Coast 2 Egypt 1

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