By Edi Umoh
Algeria and Ivory Coast have booked their places in the quarter-finals of the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), after commanding performances to push for continental glory at the ongoing tournament.
Algeria defeated D.R Congo 1-0 after extra-time to advance to the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time since they won the competition in 2019.
This is as Ivory Coast beat Burkina Faso 3-0 on Monday and became the first Africa Cup of Nations defending champions to reach the quarter-finals since 2010.
The opening minutes of this clash perfectly encapsulated that as the two teams, who scored 12 goals between them in their respective groups, failed to register a shot in the first quarter.
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However, the game finally sprang into life not long before the half-hour mark with D.R. Congo, despite managing much less possession than Algeria in the first half, creating the first two openings; first, Cedric Bakambu saw an effort turned around the post by Luca Zidane, before Axel Tuanzebe headed inches wide from the resulting corner.
Aside from those two chances, the opening period was a rather drab affair, with both teams seemingly terrified of opening up as they looked to continue their progression in the tournament.
After the break, it was D.R Congo who appeared to seize the initiative, ramping up the pressure on the Algeria goal as they sought to snatch the win in regulation time.
An opportunity fell the way of Chancel Mbemba inside the area after the Algerians failed to clear a corner, but a heroic block from Hicham Boudaoui kept the scores level.
After both sides looked to the bench for inspiration, with Algeria making the surprise decision to withdraw Riyad Mahrez, it was still D.R. Congo having the better of play, and one of their chances again threatened when Edo Kayembe’s wicked drive from distance needed gathering by Zidane.
Anis Hadj-Moussa had one of the Greens’ few sightings of goal, but even then his tame effort was easily gathered by Lionel Mpasi – one of the last true opportunities of the game as it headed into extra-time.
Algeria did up the ante slightly during the additional 30 minutes and almost struck a crushing blow to D.R. Congo when Baghdad Bounedjah burst into the area and flashed a left-footed effort narrowly wide of the target.
Fares Chaibi was then not far away from securing a late victory for Algeria, but a stunning reflex save from Mpasi looked to be sending the game to penalties.
Ivory Coast Coast to Quarter-finals
Manchester United winger Amad Diallo starred as Diallo struck the opening goal and created the second for Yan Diomande before half-time. Substitute Bazoumana Toure completed the scoring in the closing minutes in Marrakesh.
Ivory Coast now travel south to Moroccan coastal city Agadir, where they will face record seven-time champions Egypt on Saturday for a semi-finals place.
Since Egypt successfully defended the title in Angola 16 years ago, seven title holders have failed to reach the last eight.
Cameroon and Senegal made last-16 exits, Zambia, Ivory Coast and Algeria were eliminated after the group stage, and Egypt and Nigeria failed to qualify for the tournament.
Ivory Coast were dominating possession and captain Franck Kessie was not far off target when he tried to steer a shot into the roof of the net.
There was a sense of inevitability when the title-holders went ahead on 20 minutes. Diallo powered his way past several defenders before striking the ball beyond goalkeeper Herve Koffi
Burkina Faso wanted the goal disallowed, claiming Nagalo had been body checked by Evann Guessand, but a VAR review confirmed the decision of the Sudanese referee to award it.
Such was the control of the Ivorians that it came as no surprise when they increased their lead on 32 minutes on a cold, dry night at the foothills of the Atlas mountain range.
Diallo was the provider this time. Passing the ball across the box to 19-year-old Diomande, whose superbly bent shot gave Koffi no chance as it flew into the left corner.
In a rare raid, Burkina Faso almost halved the deficit as Brentford striker Dango Ouattara cut in from the right and struck the base of the post. Relieved goalkeeper Yahia Fofana grasped the rebound.
Burkina Faso coach Brama Traore took off Nagalo as half-time approached, replacing him with midfielder Blati Toure. Another change, during the break, saw Georgi Minoungou come on for striker Lassina Traore.
Starved of possession in the opening 45 minutes, the Burkinabe had more success when play resumed and came close to scoring on the hour mark.
Ouattara connected with a low cross and Fofana reacted swiftly at his near post to push the ball away from danger.
Burkina Faso introduced Sunderland striker Bertrand Traore with 20 minutes remaining. His AFCON debut came in 2012 as a 16-year-old and he is competing at the tournament a sixth time.
An Ivorian counterattack offered unmarked Diallo a great chance to score again, but Koffi used his leg to block a close-range shot at the expense of a corner.
Substitute Toure scored his second goal in as many matches when he ran from his own half on 87 minutes, then slammed the ball past Koffi.
Quarter-final fixtures confirmed – date, time, venue
The line-up for the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON in Morocco has been confirmed, with four high-stakes encounters scheduled across Friday and Saturday as the race for continental glory intensifies.
Friday’s action begins in Tangiers, where Mali will take on defending champions Senegal in a West African derby billed for 1600 GMT.
Later in the day, hosts Morocco face Cameroon in Rabat at 1900 GMT, with the Atlas Lions looking to make home advantage count against the five-time champions.
Saturday will see attention shift to Marrakesh, where Algeria meet Nigeria at 1600 GMT in one of the standout ties of the round, renewing a fierce rivalry between two of Africa’s most decorated sides.
The quarter-final stage will conclude in Agadir at 1900 GMT, as seven-time winners Egypt lock horns with Ivory Coast in a heavyweight clash between former champions.
Friday, January 9
Mali vs Senegal – 5 p.m. Nigeria Time, Tangiers
Cameroon v s Morocco – 8 p.m. Nigeria Time, Rabat
Saturday, January 10
Algeria vs Nigeria – 5 p.m. Nigeria Time, Marrakesh
Egypt vs Ivory Coast – 8 p.m. Nigeria Time, Agadir
