explainer
From the teams that qualify to the match schedule to the top scorers, here’s everything you need to know about the AFCON quarterfinals.
Published January 7, 2026
As the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) draws to a close in Morocco, defending champions Ivory Coast are the last of the eight continental powers to draw in a mouthwatering quarter-final.
The Round of 16 matches featured everything from last-gasp winners to penalty shootouts and one-sided goal fests, but as African football’s top teams emerge, the competition between the teams will become closer.
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Here’s what you need to know about the quarterfinals.
Which team qualified for the AFCON 2025 quarterfinals?
Eight of the top 10 African countries have passed:
⚽ Senegal
⚽Mari
⚽ Morocco
⚽ Cameroon
⚽Egypt
⚽ Nigeria
⚽ Algeria
⚽ Ivory Coast
What is the schedule for the AFCON 2025 quarterfinals?
Two games will be played on Friday and Saturday.
January 9th
⚽ Mali vs. Senegal, 5pm (16:00 GMT) – Ibn Battuta Stadium, Tangier
⚽ Cameroon vs. Morocco, 8pm (19:00 GMT) – Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
January 10th
⚽ Algeria vs. Nigeria, 5pm (16:00 GMT) – Marrakech, Marrakech Stadium
⚽ Egypt vs. Ivory Coast, 8pm (19:00 GMT) – Agadir, Adrar Stadium
Which team is the favorite to win AFCON 2025?
Holders Ivory Coast and Arab champions Morocco started the tournament as favorites to win, but Nigeria have come out on top with a near-flawless performance in every match so far.
Algeria have the impression of being the only team outside of Nigeria to have won all their games, while Mohamed Salah’s Egypt have also lived up to their reputation as Africa’s top four team.
Who are the top goal scorers in AFCON 2025?
At the end of the round of 16, Morocco’s Brahim Dias leads the table with four goals in as many games, with five other players scoring three goals each.
⚽ Brahim Dias (Morocco): 4
⚽ Ademola Lookman (Nigeria): 3
⚽ Racing Shinayoko (Mali): 3
⚽Ayoub El Kaabi (Morocco): 3
⚽Mohamed Salah (Egypt): 3
⚽Riyad Mahrez (Algeria): 3
⚽ Victor Osimhen (Nigeria): 3
How can I watch AFCON 2025 Quarterfinals?
Al Jazeera Sports will provide live scores for Cameroon vs. Morocco and Algeria vs. Nigeria, as well as photo and text commentary streams.
Regional broadcasters including Channel 4, beIN Sport, SuperSport and Canal+ will be broadcasting the tournament.
