- Tournament’s favourites still going strong
As the knockout phase of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 continues to gather momentum, with the Round of 16 matches already underway, some quarter-final places have already decided.
Early results in Africa’s biggest football tournament have underlined both the quality of the favourites and the fine margins that continue to define AFCON football where one result can reshape a nation’s tournament in this straight knockout stage.
Over with a clearly unpredictable group stage that opened the door for several contenders, the last-16 ties now determining who remains on course for continental glory and who sees their journey come to an abrupt end.
As of Monday, January 5, 2026, four countries have secured their places in the quarter-finals, each doing so in contrasting fashion but with the same objective achieved: staying alive in the continental title race.
Former African champions, the Teranga Lions of Senegal were the first team to book a quarter-final spot on Saturday as they extended their impressive unbeaten run at the tournament.
By overcoming Sudan, the Senegalese confirmed their status as one of the most consistent sides on the continent.
Later in the day, the Eagles of Mali secured their place in the quarter-finals when they defeated Tunisia on penalties despite playing large parts of the game with ten men
Following suit on Sunday, the hosts nation, the Atlas Lions of Morocco, edged past the Taifa Stars of Tanzania with a narrow but controlled 1–0 victory in Rabat. In front of a passionate home crowd, the Moroccans showed patience and maturity, with Brahim Díaz providing the decisive moment.
The win not only kept Morocco’s title hopes alive but also reinforced their growing belief that this could finally be their year, 50 years after their last AFCON triumph.
Also joining the list of qualifiers is Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions who recorded a dramatic 2–1 victory over South Africa’s Bafana Bafana later in the day. The five-time African champions, once again showcased their pedigree in knockout football, finding a way through in a fiercely contested encounter.
The Cameroonians’ reward is a mouth-watering quarter-final clash against hosts Morocco, a fixture that promises intensity, history and continental heavyweight status.
On Monday, the Pharaohs of Egypt pushed past the Squirrels of Benin Republic 3-1 after extra-time with Mohammed Salah scoring with the last kick of the game.
Super Eagles of Nigeria also secured their berth in the last eight round on Monday night after hammering Mozambique 4-0 with Victor Osimhen scoring a brace to help the Super Eagles to advance.
Matches slated for today (Tuesday), will confirm the remaining names waiting to earn their passage to the quarter-final round.
Dessert Warriors of Algeria meet the Leopards of DR Congo, and defending champions, Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire square-up against Stallions of Burkina Faso.
The results of these matches will complete the quarter-final pairings while further shaping the route to this year’s final.
The quarter-finals of AFCON 2025 will be played on Friday 9 January and Saturday 10 January, with the competition building towards the final on 18 January at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.
Teams qualified for the AFCON 2025 quarter-finals (so far):
Senegal
Mali
Morocco
Cameroon
Egypt
Nigeria
Confirmed quarter-final fixtures
Mali vs Senegal – Friday, 9 January
Cameroon vs Morocco – Friday, 9 January
* (The remaining quarter-final fixtures will be confirmed once the outstanding Round of 16 matches are completed).
