By Neilley Claude EBESSA
Journalist kick442.com – Cameroon
Friday, 9/1
Mali 🇲🇱 vs Senegal 🇸🇳 — 7pm EAT
A meeting shaped by ambition and experience.
Mali have emerged as one of the tournament’s most composed sides — tactically disciplined, physically brave, and increasingly confident. Their ability to control midfield battles has been central to their run, and they arrive at this quarter-final sensing a genuine opportunity to go further than ever before.
Senegal, champions of AFCON 2021, bring a different kind of presence. This is a team forged in knockout pressure, aware of what it takes to navigate moments that decide tournaments. While the burden of defending a title no longer applies, the confidence of having conquered Africa recently still travels with them.
For Mali, this is about disrupting a familiar power. For Senegal, it’s about reminding the continent that pedigree still counts — especially when margins grow thin.
Cameroon 🇨🇲 vs Morocco 🇲🇦 — 10pm EAT
When heritage meets precision.
Cameroon’s identity is inseparable from AFCON drama. The Indomitable Lions have grown steadily through the competition, combining youthful hunger with the emotional edge that has long defined their greatest runs.
Morocco, meanwhile, continue to evolve into one of Africa’s most structured sides. Their defensive organization, tactical discipline, and patient build-up reflect a team comfortable in control and unwilling to be drawn into chaos.
This quarter-final may be decided by who dictates the rhythm — Cameroon’s surge and intensity or Morocco’s calm, calculated execution.
Saturday, 10/1
Algeria 🇩🇿 vs Nigeria 🇳🇬 — 7pm EAT
A rivalry written in repetition.
Algeria’s path has echoed past triumphs — four consecutive wins and an air of confidence that feels dangerously familiar. Twice before, encounters with Nigeria paved the way to continental success.
Nigeria, however, see this moment as a chance to break the cycle. Armed with pace, power, and depth, the Super Eagles are built to punish hesitation. This is not just a battle for a semi-final place, but a fight to reclaim narrative control.
Expect tension, intensity, and moments capable of reshaping history.
Egypt 🇪🇬 vs Ivory Coast 🇨🇮 — 10pm EAT
A clash of authority and ambition.
Egypt’s relationship with AFCON is unmatched. Seven titles, countless knockout victories, and an unrivaled understanding of tournament survival make the Pharaohs a threat regardless of form.
Ivory Coast arrive with force and intent. Physically imposing and offensively direct, the Elephants have the tools to overwhelm any opponent — if they can maintain composure.
This encounter may turn on patience versus power, calculation versus chaos. One mistake could tilt the balance irreversibly.
As the quarter-finals unfold, AFCON 2025 sheds sentiment and symbolism. From this point forward, only execution matters.
Four matches.
Eight contenders.
Africa watches — and history waits.
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