The Africa Cup of Nations has reached a thrilling stage, with the quarter-final line-up now fully confirmed. Defending champions Ivory Coast and tournament favourites Algeria were the final two teams to book their places in the last eight, completing a mouth-watering set of fixtures that promise drama, quality and continental rivalry in equal measure.
Ivory Coast cruise, Diallo shines
In Marrakech, reigning champions Ivory Coast produced a commanding display to brush aside West African neighbours Burkina Faso with a convincing 3–0 victory. The result underlined their credentials as strong contenders to retain the title.
Manchester United winger Amad Diallo was at the heart of the performance. The 21-year-old scored one goal and played a decisive role in creating another, consistently troubling the Burkinabè defence with his pace, movement and close control. The remaining goals came from Jean-Philippe Diomandé and Bazoumana Touré, completing a polished team effort.
After the match, Diallo was keen to emphasise the collective nature of the victory.
“We fought as a team,” he said. “Everyone focused on contributing from their own position. Our understanding on the pitch makes our football faster and more fluid. No one here is chasing personal glory.”
Algerian drama decided in the 119th minute :
If Ivory Coast’s progress was serene, Algeria’s route to the quarter-finals was anything but. Facing a resolute DR Congo side in Rabat, the North Africans were held scoreless through 90 minutes and deep into extra time.
With penalties looming, substitute Adil Bulbina emerged as an unlikely hero. In the 119th minute, the 22-year-old midfielder surged in from the left and unleashed a powerful strike from inside the box to secure a dramatic 1–0 win.
Remarkably, this was only Bulbina’s sixth international appearance. He had featured as a substitute in just two matches at this tournament, spending a total of 19 minutes on the pitch before delivering the goal that carried Algeria into the last eight. Overcome with emotion at the final whistle, he was seen in tears as teammates embraced him.
“Every Algerian dreams of playing for the national team,” Bulbina reflected afterwards. “I took my chance and scored, but the most important thing is that we won and reached the next round.”
Quarter-final fixtures at a glance :
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Friday | Mali vs Senegal | Night kick-off |
| Friday | Cameroon vs Morocco | Night kick-off |
| Saturday | Algeria vs Nigeria | Night kick-off |
| Saturday | Egypt vs Ivory Coast | Night kick-off |
Anticipation builds :
With Africa’s heavyweights now locked into high-stakes encounters, expectations are soaring. Traditional powers, emerging challengers and fierce regional rivalries ensure that the quarter-finals will be a true test of nerve and quality. As the tournament moves deeper into its decisive phase, fans can look forward to nights of tension, skill and unforgettable moments on the road to continental glory.
