Mali meet 2021 winners Senegal on Friday, and later the same evening hosts Morocco take on Cameroon.
The following day, Algeria clash with Nigeria in a battle between two of the form teams in the competition, while Egypt take on Ivory Coast.
We are now at the business end of the tournament, which also gives us a chance to look back at some key facts and figures from the first 44 games.
Few upsets
The eight teams through to the quarter-finals are also the eight highest-ranked sides in the competition, according to the FIFA World Rankings at the time of the draw. Unlike the previous few editions, there have been no ‘bolters’ making it through, with the established teams flexing their muscles. Every quarter-final therefore looks like a clash between continental giants and will be tough to call.
Hot-shots
Nigeria lead the goalscoring charts with an impressive 12 goals from their four games so far, with their potency in the final third making them genuine title contenders. Much will be made of the goals scored by Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, but it has arguably been the artistry of Alex Iwobi in midfield, creating chances, that has been most impressive. Senegal, with 10 goals, are the only other team to reach double figures. The lowest scorers among the quarter-finalists are Mali, with three goals in four games.
Goals count
There have been 109 goals scored in 44 matches in Morocco so far, an average of 2.48 per game. That puts the tournament on course for a record total, with the current benchmark the 119 goals scored in 2023 (2.29 per game). A further 11 goals from the remaining eight matches would set a new record.
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Yet to win
Mali have, in fact, yet to record a victory at the tournament, having reached the last eight on the back of four draws. Coach Tom Saintfiet mentioned after their penalty shoot-out win over Tunisia in the Round of 16, perhaps tongue-in-cheek, that his side could go on to lift the trophy without winning a single match. Wouldn’t that be something…
Brahim Diaz
Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz became the first Moroccan player to score in four consecutive Africa Cup of Nations matches when he netted in the Round of 16 win over Tanzania. He is also the highest scorer for his country in a single continental finals and now sits two goals behind Morocco’s all-time leading scorer, Ahmed Faras (six). Morocco have not been free-scoring and, along with Ayoub El Kaabi, Diaz has been the only source of goals for the hosts. They are the only two players to have found the back of the net after four games.
Prolific Lookman
Nigeria star Ademola Lookman has an astonishing seven goal contributions in four games for the Super Eagles in Morocco. One wonders why there was ever a need for friction with Osimhen. Lookman has scored three goals himself and provided four assists, making him a strong contender for Player of the Tournament at this stage.
Shut-outs
Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane has yet to be beaten in almost five hours of football at the Africa Cup of Nations. His legendary father, Zinedine Zidane, was known for creating and scoring goals, but Luca has proven adept at keeping them out. The only goal Algeria have conceded in Morocco came in a 3–1 win over Equatorial Guinea in their final group match, when Zidane was rested after the Algerians had already secured top spot in the group.
