Seven Teams Secure Spots in AFCON Quarter-finals, Morocco vs. South Africa Clash to Decide Final Slot

As of Tuesday, seven teams have successfully booked their places in the highly anticipated 2023 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals, setting the stage for thrilling encounters. The spotlight is now on the showdown between Morocco and South Africa tonight, with the winner earning the eighth and final spot in the quarter-finals.

Highlights from the Tournament So Far:

1. Angola Soar to Victory: Angola became the first team to qualify for the quarter-finals after a commanding performance against Namibia on Saturday evening. The Parancas Negras (Black Sable Antelopes) will now face the Super Eagles of Nigeria, considered one of the favorites, following their triumph over the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.
2. Hosts Côte d’Ivoire Stun Defending Champions Senegal: In a surprising turn of events, hosts Côte d’Ivoire secured a spot in the last eight by defeating defending champions Senegal. The match, which saw a dramatic penalty shootout, ended in the Elephant’s favor, showcasing the resilience of the home team.
3. Cape Verde’s Late Heroics: Cape Verde secured their place in the quarter-finals for the second time in their history with a late Ryan Mendes penalty. Bubista, the Cape Verde boss, expressed delight in his team’s performance, emphasizing their determination to face and challenge the bigger teams in the competition.
4. Guinea’s Historic Victory: Guinea made history with a dramatic winner in the eighth minute of injury time against 10-man Equatorial Guinea. Bayo’s late strike secured the first-ever Cup of Nations knockout win for the Syli National, adding an extra layer of excitement to the tournament.
5. Egypt’s Upset Exit: The Pharaohs of Egypt faced an upset as DR Congo sent them packing after a penalty shootout. The unexpected turn of events further intensified the competitiveness of the tournament.

Quarter-finals Fixtures Unveiled:

The stage is set for the quarter-finals, featuring compelling matchups and top-notch football action. Below are the full Quarter-Finals fixtures with venue, date, and time:

1. Nigeria vs. Angola
   • Date: Friday, February 2, 2024
   • Venue: Felix Houphouet-Boigny
   • Time: 6:00 pm
2. DR Congo vs. Guinea
   • Date: Friday, February 2, 2024
   • Venue: Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara
   • Time: 9:00 pm
3. Mali vs. Cote d’Ivoire
   • Date: Saturday, February 3, 2024
   • Venue: Stade de Bouaké
   • Time: 6:00 pm
4. Cape Verde vs. Morocco/South Africa
   • Date: Saturday, February 3, 2024
   • Venue: Stade Charles Konan Banny de Yamoussoukro
   • Time: 9:00 pm

Football enthusiasts and fans around the continent are eagerly anticipating these thrilling encounters as the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations enters its crucial knockout stage.

Written by sdbLive