January 6 – Nigeria and Egypt swept into the quarter finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco last night. With six quarter finalists now confirmed, the finals two slots in the last eight will be confirmed tonight with the winners of Algeria-Congo and Ivory Coast-Burkina Faso, going through.
Nigeria were impressive in their 4-0 dismantling of Mozambique in Fes, showing form that deserted them in the World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside within the first two minutes, before Ademola Lookman curled in a shot to open the scoring on 20 minutes.
Five minutes later Osimhen doubled the lead. Osimhen made it 3-0 early in the second half, tapping in from Lookman’s assist. Lookman also had a hand in the fourth that was fired in by Akor Adams.
Nigeria will now face Algeria or Congo in Marrakech on Friday.
Last night in Marrakech it took extra time and a Mohammed Salah goal for Egypt to progress past Benin.
A goalless first half saw the Egyptians eventually take the lead in the 70th minute through a Marwan Attia strike from the edge of the penalty box. Egypt looked to have done enough to secure progression before Junior Olaitan’s cross took a deflection which Egyptian goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy could only claw off his line into the path of Jodel Dossou.
In extra time Yasser Ibrahim put Egypt back in front on 97 minutes before a generally quiet Salah scored four minutes into added time. It was his third of the tournament and set up a quarter final clash with either the Ivory Coast or Benin.
Hosts Morocco, having won the Arab Cup in Qatar just days before the AFCON kick-off, beat Tanzania 1-0 to set up a quarter final with Cameroon. Cameroon, who failed to qualify for the World Cup finals this summer, beat South Africa, who have qualified, 2-1.
Senegal beat Sudan 3-1 and will next meet Mali who overcame Tunisia on penalties after scores were level at 1-1 after extra time.
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