The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals feature a heavyweight clash as record-holders Egypt face reigning champions Ivory Coast at Stade Adrar on Saturday.
Both sides enter this stage with plenty of history and expectation, and the winner will take a major step towards claiming continental glory.
Egypt arrived at this tournament as outsiders for the title, yet the Pharaohs have shown resilience, aiming to add to their record seven AFCON trophies.
However, the road has not been straightforward. In the round of 16, Hossam Hassan’s men required extra time to overcome a stubborn Benin side, eventually winning 3-1 in a game that tested their composure and stamina.
This quarter-final comes in a strong last-eight field, with all remaining teams ranked in Africa’s top ten. Egypt, though, have reason for confidence, having won their last five AFCON quarter-finals, showing they know how to handle knockout pressure.
Still, they will be tested by a formidable Ivory Coast team, arguably their toughest opponent yet in the tournament.
The Elephants topped their group thanks to a superior goals tally over Cameroon, finishing with an unbeaten record.
Emerse Fae’s side continued their dominant form in the round of 16, cruising past 2013 finalists Burkina Faso 3-0. Ivory Coast enter this tie with strong momentum, having lost just one of their last eleven games (8W, 2D, 1L), and a victory here would offer a solid platform for a deep run in the competition.
Historically, Ivory Coast have struggled to progress beyond the quarter-finals in recent editions, falling short in four of the last six AFCON tournaments.
Their two exceptions were tournament-winning campaigns in 2015 and 2023, highlighting both their pedigree and the pressure to deliver at this stage.
How the bookies view it: Ivory Coast narrowly favoured
Bookmakers see this as a close contest, though Ivory Coast are slightly ahead in the odds. Ladbrokes price an away win at 13/10, while Egypt are close behind at 21/10.
The draw is available at 7/4, reflecting the expectation of a competitive, evenly matched affair. The odds suggest that a single goal or a late winner could determine which team advances to the semi-finals.
Recent head-to-head: Egypt dominate historically
The sides have not met this decade, but in the last AFCON meeting in 2021, Egypt eliminated Ivory Coast on penalties.
Over the last six encounters between the nations, Egypt have won four, drawn one, and lost just once, with the Ivorians’ victories coming only in friendly fixtures.
Players to watch: Which Premier League star will reign supreme? Mohamed Salah or Amad Diallo?
Ivory Coast will rely on Manchester United winger Amad Diallo, who has been influential in this tournament. He scored and assisted in the round of 16 win over Burkina Faso, and all three of his goals in AFCON 2025 have been opening strikes, highlighting his ability to set the tone for the Elephants.
For Egypt, Liverpool star Mohamed Salah remains their talisman. The winger has scored three times in three matches this tournament, including a crucial goal in extra time against Benin. Salah is aiming to reach an AFCON final for the first time in his career, having lost twice previously.
Probable line-ups
Egypt hope to have midfielder Trezeguet and defender Mohamed Hamdi available after injuries in their last match.
Ivory Coast will miss Christ Inao Oulai through yellow card suspension, while Sebastien Haller is sidelined with injury.
Egypt: El Shenawy; Ibrahim, Fathy, Rabia; Hany, Trezeguet, Attia, Adel, Hamdy; Salah, Marmoush
Ivory Coast: Y. Fofana; Doue, Diomande, Ndicka, Konan; Kessie, Sangare, S. Fofana; Amad, Guessand, Y. Diomande
Anything else that catches the eye?
Egypt have produced under 2.5 goals in eight of their last eleven matches, suggesting that as a good option to stake on here. They have also only scored once before half-time in this tournament, indicating they could fail to find the net before half time against a tough opposition.
For Ivory Coast, just three of their last 20 matches saw both sides score, but they have netted first in six of their last eight games.
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