The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarterfinals kick off this Friday (January 9) after a thrilling Round of 16, with eight teams left for the knockout drama! ⚽🔥
First up, West African rivals Mali vs Senegal. Mali edged Tunisia on penalties after a 1-1 draw, while Senegal mounted a comeback to beat Sudan 3-1. Who will prevail? 🤔
Later that day, five-time champions Cameroon face hosts Morocco in Casablanca. Cameroon scraped past South Africa 2-1, and Morocco, the pre-tournament favorites, beat Tanzania 1-0. Can the home crowd inspire a win? 🇲🇦🏟️
On Saturday (January 10), defending champs Algeria play three-time winners Nigeria. Algeria scored a last-gasp extra-time goal against the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nigeria thrashed Mozambique 4-0. Expect fireworks! 💥
The final quarterfinal on Saturday sees record holders Egypt take on Cote d'Ivoire. Egypt needed extra time to beat Benin 3-1, while the Ivorians dominated Burkina Faso 3-0. A classic battle awaits! 🔥
Winners from Mali–Senegal will meet Egypt or Cote d'Ivoire on January 14, and the Cameroon–Morocco victor faces the Algeria–Nigeria winner. Semis on January 14 lead to the third-place playoff on January 17 in Casablanca and the final on January 18 in Rabat. Get hyped for more goals and unforgettable moments! 🎉🏆
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
