African Cup of Nations quarter-finals Preview and Schedule

If you thought the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations was fun and unpredictable, then the knockout rounds are providing an even higher level of drama.

A week after losing 4-0 to Equatorial Guinea, their biggest-ever defeat at home, hosts Ivory Coast knocked out the defending champions Senegal. Egypt, who have won the competition a record seven times, lost in a penalty shootout to DR Congo.

To top it all off, Morocco, the pre-tournament favourites following their incredible run to the World Cup semi-finals just over a year ago, were outplayed and eliminated by South Africa.

The tournament’s five top-ranked sides have all packed their bags and returned home; the competition is wide open for the eight quarter-finalists.

Will Nigeria’s star power shine through? Can Ivory Coast lift the trophy on home soil? Or are there more upsets on the way?

Nigeria vs Angola
Friday, 6PM WAT at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan

Ahead of the tournament, most would have expected Nigeria to blow their opponents away with their devastating forward line. Victor Osimhen, the reigning African Footballer of the Year, is their talisman and he is supported up front by Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman and Nantes winger Moses Simon.

But though they’ve made it this far, Nigeria have only scored five times in their four games and Osimhen has contributed just one of those goals. Instead, it is their defence which has been more impressive with a back three of Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi and William Troost-Ekong proving to be formidable. They have not conceded since a 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea in their opening game.

According to FIFA, Angola are the lowest-ranked side (117th) left in the competition and are trying to reach the AFCON semi-finals for the first time. They won their group, which contained Burkina Faso, Mauritania and 2019 champions Algeria, then secured their spot in the last eight by beating Namibia 3-0, despite having goalkeeper Neblu sent off in the 17th minute.

Angola’s biggest threats are Gelson Dala, who plays for Qatari top-flight side Al Wakrah, and Mabululu of Egypt’s Al Ittihad. The pair have scored more goals combined (seven) than Nigeria’s entire squad at this tournament.

DR Congo vs Guinea
9PM WAT at the Olympique Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan

Guinea were uninspiring for the majority of their last-16 game against Equatorial Guinea last Sunday, but Mohamed Bayo’s header in stoppage time was a moment of real quality that led them to their first AFCON knockout-phase win ever.

Guinea progressed from the group stage as one of the best third-placed sides, and they deserve credit for reaching the quarter-finals with fitness issues surrounding their best player, Serhou Guirassy. The Stuttgart forward has scored 17 times in 14 Bundesliga appearances this season but, unfortunately, a thigh problem is restricting his impact in this competition. They have only scored three goals so far and surely need Guirassy to start firing to have the best chance of going further.

DR Congo have the quirky honour of being in the last eight despite not winning a game yet, having drawn all four of their matches, then eliminated Egypt on penalties. Given that, it is difficult to properly judge them. Sebastien Desabre’s side deserve credit for recovering after going behind in three of their games. Yoane Wissa, Cedric Bakambu and Silas Katompa up front should cause Guinea lots of problems.

Mali vs Ivory Coast
Saturday, 6PM WAT at the Stade de la Paix, Bouake

Somehow, Ivory Coast are alive and kicking, bouncing back from conceding inside the first three minutes against reigning champions Senegal in the previous round to reach the quarter-finals.

Interim head coach Emerse Fae, appointed after Jean-Louis Gasset was sacked following their final group game here, wisely handed defender Odilon Kossounou his first appearance at this tournament and boldly dropped Franck Kessie for Jean Michael Seri in midfield for their last-16 clash with Senegal. Both decisions paid off with good performances from the incoming players.

There’s more good news: Sebastien Haller is available again following an ankle injury, which means Ivory Coast have renewed belief. Nigeria are now the top-ranked side (42nd in the world) left in the competition and are on the other side of the draw, which means Ivory Coast have a great chance of reaching the final. Everything is looking up for the hosts but Fae insists they “will not get a big head.”

Mali stand in their way after beating Burkina Faso 2-1. These two countries share a border, which means the atmosphere should be cracking.

Yves Bissouma is Mali’s standout player, but he did not play in the previous round after experiencing discomfort in his thigh during training. The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder could still be fit for this one, and will be key if he’s able to play.

Without Bissouma, Mali relied on Lassine Sinayoko for inspiration. The 24-year-old plays for French second-division side Auxerre, where he has scored four times in 19 appearances this season. Sinayoko has found the back of the net three times in this tournament.

Cape Verde vs South Africa
Saturday, 9PM WAT at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro

Morocco looked so assured in the group stage as they rolled through in top spot with two wins and a draw. They were missing Hakim Ziyech and Sofiane Boufal for their last 16 clash against South Africa, but Achraf Hakimi, Sofyan Amrabat and Noussair Mazraoui were included in the starting XI.

South Africa were brave in their build-up and were rewarded with an incredible 2-0 victory. Evidence Makgopa’s slick finish sent them on their way before Teboho Mokoena’s late free kick truly got the party started. South Africa have morphed from dark horses to serious contenders and now face Cape Verde for a place in the semi-finals.

Cape Verde topped Group B, which contained Egypt, Ghana and Mozambique. They had nothing to play for in their final game against Egypt because they had already qualified for the last 16. When Mostafa Mohamed scored in the 93rd minute to put Egypt 2-1 up, they could have rolled over. However, Bryan Teixeira’s equaliser underlines their fighting spirit.

They then snuck past Mauritania 1-0 with a late penalty. South Africa should provide them with a much tougher test.