Mali takes on Senegal in an intriguing West African quarterfinal clash at the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, scheduled for January 9, 2026, at Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier, Morocco (kick-off at 16:00GMT
Senegal, the 2021 champions, advanced with a 3-1 victory over Sudan in the round of 16, showcasing resilience despite an early deficit.
Mali progressed dramatically by edging Tunisia 1-1 (3-2 on penalties) after extra time, demonstrating strong defensive resolve even with 10 men for much of the match.
This matchup pits neighboring nations with rich AFCON history against each other, promising intense rivalry and high stakes for a semifinal spot.
Cameroon faces hosts Morocco in a heavyweight quarterfinal on the same day, January 9, 2026, at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat (kick-off at 19:00GMT).
Mali’s path to the quarterfinals was nothing short of heroic in their round of 16 clash against Tunisia on January 3 at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca.
Reduced to ten men early when defender Woyo Coulibaly received a red card, the Eagles faced nearly 100 minutes of relentless pressure from the Carthage Eagles.
Tunisia finally broke the deadlock in the 88th minute through substitute Firas Chaouat, who headed in from close range, leaving Mali staring at elimination.
However, in the sixth minute of stoppage time, a handball in the box by Tunisia’s Yassine Meriah handed Mali a lifeline—Lassine Sinayoko stepped up to convert the penalty coolly, forcing extra time.
With no further goals, the match went to penalties, where goalkeeper Djigui Diarra emerged as the hero, saving two spot-kicks while El Bilal Touré scored the decisive one for a 3-2 shootout victory.
Sinayoko’s late equalizer proved pivotal, highlighting Mali’s unbreakable spirit and defensive resilience despite the numerical disadvantage.
Senegal delivered a composed yet resilient performance to overcome Sudan 3-1 on January 3 at the Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier. The Falcons of Jediane stunned the 2021 champions early, taking a shock lead in the sixth minute via Aamir Abdallah’s finely curled effort from outside the box.
Senegal, spurred by stars like Sadio Mané and Nicolas Jackson, gradually asserted control. Pape Gueye equalized around the half-hour mark with a clinical finish assisted by Mané, then doubled the lead just before halftime with another precise strike from the edge of the area.
The Teranga Lions sealed the win in the 77th minute when teenage substitute Lamine (or Ibrahim) Mbaye latched onto a Mané through-ball and finished emphatically on the counter.
Gueye’s brace and Mané’s creative influence were standout features, as Senegal recovered from the early setback to demonstrate their depth and title credentials against a spirited underdog.
Cameroon’s round of 16 encounter with South Africa on January 4 at the Al Barid Stadium in Rabat was a tense, physical affair that ended 2-1 in favor of the Indomitable Lions.
South Africa started brightly, creating early chances but failing to capitalize, allowing Cameroon to grow into the game. Junior Tchamadeu opened the scoring in the 34th minute, slotting home low after a corner wasn’t cleared properly.
Just after halftime, in the 47th minute, young striker Christian Kofane doubled the lead with a powerful header from Mahamadou Aboubakar Nagida’s cross. Bafana Bafana mounted late pressure, pulling one back in the 88th minute through substitute Evidence Makgopa’s close-range finish from a long delivery.
Despite the nervy finish and key saves from goalkeeper Devis Epassy, Cameroon held firm, showcasing clinical finishing and defensive solidity to set up a blockbuster quarterfinal against the hosts.
Hosts Morocco secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Tanzania on January 4 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, relying on moments of individual brilliance to break down a resolute defense.
The Atlas Lions dominated possession and created numerous opportunities, with Achraf Hakimi—returning from injury—hitting the crossbar with a free-kick and providing key assists.
Tanzania, making their knockout debut, defended stubbornly and even threatened on the counter, with Feisal Salum missing a golden rebound chance.
The breakthrough came in the 64th minute when Real Madrid’s Brahim Díaz, the tournament’s standout performer so far, fired in at the near post after a clever exchange with Hakimi—his fourth goal in as many matches.
Goalkeeper Hussein Masalanga made several impressive saves for the Taifa Stars, but Morocco’s persistence paid off, maintaining a clean sheet amid growing home expectations ahead of their quarterfinal clash with Cameroon.