By Spy Uganda
This year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has reached a thrilling climax, with only four teams remaining after a tournament marked by drama, controversy, and an abundance of goals.
African heavyweights Egypt, Senegal, Nigeria, and hosts Morocco will battle it out in the semi-finals this week after navigating tense and hard-fought quarter-final encounters.
One of the standout fixtures will see Senegal’s Sadio Mané come face-to-face with former Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah as the Lions of Teranga take on Egypt. In the other semi-final, Nigeria must overcome hosts Morocco to keep their title hopes alive.
Senegal booked their place in the last four for the seventh time following a narrow 1–0 victory over ten-man Mali. Iliman Ndiaye scored the decisive goal in a tightly contested match that turned in Senegal’s favour after Mali midfielder Yves Bissouma was sent off in first-half stoppage time. The West Africans made their numerical advantage count, maintaining control to seal progression.
They will now meet Egypt on Wednesday after the Pharaohs edged past Ivory Coast in a pulsating 3–2 encounter. Omar Marmoush opened the scoring just four minutes in, before Ramy Rabia doubled Egypt’s advantage in the 32nd minute to put them firmly in command.
Ivory Coast were handed a lifeline when Ahmed Abou El Fotouh scored an own goal five minutes before half-time, but Mohamed Salah restored Egypt’s cushion with a composed finish in the 52nd minute. A late strike from Guela Doué, 17 minutes from time, set up a tense finale, yet the record AFCON champions held on to reach their 14th semi-final.
Nigeria confirmed their place in a record-extending 16th AFCON semi-final with a dominant 2–0 victory over Algeria. Second-half goals from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams underlined the Super Eagles’ authority as they marched into the final four.
Awaiting them are hosts Morocco, who continued their impressive home campaign with a convincing 2–0 win over Cameroon. Goals in either half from Brahim Díaz and Ismael Saibari secured the Atlas Lions’ first semi-final appearance since 2004 and kept alive their hopes of lifting the trophy on home soil.
With continental giants colliding and history at stake, the stage is set for a compelling conclusion to Africa’s premier football tournament.
