AFCON 2025: It’s the battle of the best in the last four
Senegal, Morocco, Nigeria, and Egypt secured their places in the semi-finals of the AFCON 2025 by extending their unbeaten run in the competition, after ousting their fellow heavyweight opponents in an all-star quarter-finals.
The tournament continues in its predictable form as the top teams pursue their quest to be crowned champions of the 35th edition, securing victories over their rivals in their most significant tests so far.
Here is how the four nations secured their places in the last four, from Senegal’s narrow win to Nigeria’s dominance of Algeria, and Egypt edging the thriller with defending champions, the Ivory Coast.
AFCON 2025: The best reach the last four
Ndiaye settled the Western derby
Iliman Ndiaye produced the match-winning moment for 2021 champions Senegal as they edged 10-man Mali in a tense battle to reach their seventh AFCON semi-finals.
The moment came three minutes before the hour mark thanks to an error from Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra, who went on to have an outstanding game, but his team could not find a response, and lost their captain, Yves Bissouma, to a second booking and subsequent red card before the halftime break.
Morocco continues to stand out with another win
Host nation Morocco ended Cameroon’s AFCON journey in a 2-0 victory on Friday night thanks to goals from Brahim Diaz and Ismael Sabairi.
Despite dominating possession, the Indomitable Lions were afforded no real chance to create any real danger by the relentless Moroccans, who prevented their opponent from having a single shot on target.
It’s their first time reaching the AFCON semi-finals since 2004, when they reached the final but lost to fellow Northerners and host, Tunisia.
Super Eagles too good for Algeria
In the battle of the teams on a winning run, it is the Super Eagles of Nigeria who continue to soar after beating the Fennecs 2-0 in a dominant display that secured their place in the last four.
After failing to score in the first half despite being all over their opponent, Nigeria took the lead through Victor Osimhen less than two minutes after the restart, with the Galatasaray striker heading home Bruno Oyemachi’s cross to beat Luca Zidane for the first time in the tournament.
The striker turned provider later in the half, setting up Akor Adams following a brilliant through pass from Alex Iwobi to seal a convincing win that helped the country reach their 16th semi-finals in the competition.
Pharaohs tame explosive Elephants
In a match they completely dominated, defending champions Ivory Coast conceded an early goal, and that ultimately cost them a ticket to the last four of the African Cup of Nations 2025.
Omar Marmoush gave Egypt the lead less than four minutes in, and defender Rami Rabia headed home Mohamed Salah’s corner after the half-hour mark to double the lead before an own goal from Ahmed El Fotouh reduced the deficit for the defending champions.
Mohamed Salah grabbed the important third goal for Egypt seven minutes after the restart, meaning Guela Doue’s goal 17 minutes from time was not enough for the Elephants’ comeback as record champions reach another semi-final.
Semi-finals schedule
Senegal and Egypt will lock horns in a rematch of the 2021 final for the first semi-final at 18:00 West African Time on Wednesday, 14th January, and Nigeria will take on host Morocco three hours later in the second semi-final.
Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
