The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has entered its most competitive phase, with heavyweight nations clashing for a place in the semi-finals.
The contenders have separated themselves from the pack, and most of the teams tipped early as favourites remain firmly in the hunt.
Interestingly, the nations left in the competition are also Africa’s eight highest-ranked sides according to the latest FIFA World Rankings.
The quarter-finals will be played across Friday and Saturday, with Mali and Senegal opening proceedings, followed by a blockbuster clash between hosts Morocco and Cameroon later that evening.
On Saturday, Algeria face Nigeria before Egypt and Ivory Coast close out the round, and with everything on the line, MRFixtips has identified the most reliable betting angles from all four ties.
Mali vs Senegal: Friday, January 9 – 16:00
Mali and Senegal meet at the Tangier Grand Stadium in what will be their first AFCON encounter since a 1-1 draw back in 2004.
The Eagles remain the only nation in the last eight yet to lift the continental crown and are also the only quarter-finalist without a regulation-time win at this tournament, having drawn all three group games before edging past Tunisia on penalties in the round of 16.
Senegal, meanwhile, won two and drew one in the group stage before seeing off Sudan in the previous round.
All four of the Teranga Lions’s matches at this AFCON have produced over 1.5 goals, a trend also seen in three of Mali’s four outings.
Given Senegal’s consistency and a 10-game unbeaten run in this fixture, they look well placed to avoid defeat once again.
Recommended bet:
- Senegal win or draw and over 1.5 goals – 18/25 (Betano)
Cameroon vs Morocco: Friday, January 9 – 19:00
Cameroon face what is arguably their toughest test of the tournament as they take on host nation Morocco, who are themselves up against their most demanding opponent so far.
The five-time champions recorded two wins and a draw in the group stage before edging South Africa in the round of 16, with the Atlas Lions also following a similar path, winning twice and drawing once before narrowly overcoming Tanzania.
Rather than picking a winner, the corner market stands out here, with Morocco having dominated this metric throughout the tournament, registering at least four more corners than their opponents in each of their last four matches.
Cameroon, by contrast, have posted at least three fewer corners than their opponents in two of their four games.
Recommended bet:
- Morocco -2 handicap corners – 1/1 (Bet365)
Algeria vs Nigeria: Saturday, January 10 – 16:00
This quarter-final pits the only two nations with perfect records at AFCON 2025 against each other.
Algeria won all three group games before requiring extra time to overcome DR Congo, while Nigeria cruised through the group stage and then dispatched Mozambique convincingly in the round of 16.
Defensively, Algeria have been the tournament’s standout side, conceding the fewest goals, while Nigeria boast the most potent attack.
With such balance on display, individual quality could prove decisive, and Ademola Lookman fits that profile, having scored in each of his last three appearances at this AFCON, meaning he has recorded at least one shot on target in every game he has featured in.
Recommended bet:
- Ademola Lookman 1+ shot on target – 13/20 (Ladbrokes)
Egypt vs Ivory Coast: Sunday, January 10 – 19:00
Seven-time AFCON winners Egypt take on defending champions Ivory Coast in a quarter-final that carries serious pedigree.
Both sides recorded two wins and a draw in the group stage, though Egypt had to dig deep in the round of 16, requiring two extra-time goals to overcome Benin, while Ivory Coast progressed more comfortably against Burkina Faso.
Encounters of this magnitude are often finely balanced, but individual brilliance usually finds a way to shine through, and one player who has consistently delivered is Amad Diallo.
The Manchester United winger has scored in all three games he has started at this tournament, meaning he has registered at least one shot on target in each of those appearances. With another start expected, that trend looks well placed to continue.
Recommended bet:
- Amad Diallo 1+ shot on target – 3/4 (Bet365)
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi is a sports writer with more than four years’ experience covering football and other global sports. A lifelong Arsenal supporter since 2004, he writes with genuine passion and a sharp eye for the stories that shape the game.
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