Category sport-news

The Africa Cup of Nations reaches the quarter-final stage this weekend with a series of mouthwatering ties between the continent’s heavyweights. AFP Sport picks out five stars enjoying their first AFCON to look out for in the last eight:

Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid/Morocco)

Moroccans were perhaps pinning their hopes of Cup of Nations glory on home soil on skipper Achraf Hakimi. But while the African player of the year hardly featured in the group stage as he recovered from injury, Diaz wasted no time in becoming their key man.

Diaz, 26, has scored in every game including the crucial strike to beat Tanzania in the last 16. That makes him the tournament’s leading marksman on four goals.

Born in Malaga, Diaz was capped by Spain at full international level in 2021 but later switched allegiance to Morocco, from where his father hails. The ex-Manchester City and AC Milan winger broke into the Atlas Lions’ side shortly after the last AFCON in 2024 and will have an important part to play against Cameroon on Friday.

Christian Kofane (Bayer Leverkusen/Cameroon)

Cameroon appear to be in permanent turmoil these days but they have so far enjoyed a successful AFCON with a number of exciting young players to the fore. None more so than Kofane, the 19-year-old forward from Douala who joined Bayer Leverkusen ahead of this campaign from Albacete in Spain’s second tier.

He has started 10 games for Leverkusen this season, scoring against the likes of Borussia Dortmund and in the Champions League against PSV Eindhoven. Those performances convinced new Indomitable Lions coach David Pagou to include him in his squad to go to Morocco.

Kofane made his first appearance in the 1-1 draw with Ivory Coast before netting the winner against Mozambique in the final group game and then the goal that secured a 2-1 success over South Africa in the last 16.

Ibrahim Mbaye (Paris Saint-Germain/Senegal)

The 17-year-old PSG winger hails from the suburbs of the French capital and represented France at youth international level before deciding in the run-up to the Cup of Nations to play for Senegal, his father’s country of origin.

Mbaye, who has made 20 appearances for European champions PSG this season, was therefore handed a debut for the Lions of Teranga in a November friendly defeat by Brazil.

He has gone on to have a significant impact for Senegal in Morocco, showing that he belongs among the likes of Sadio Mane and Iliman Ndiaye.

Mbaye came off the bench to set up his team’s equaliser in a 1-1 draw with DR Congo, and set up a goal as a substitute in the 3-0 win over Benin. Again appearing from the bench, Mbaye scored the third goal in the 3-1 win over Sudan in the last 16. His side face Mali in the last eight on Friday.

Ibrahim Maza (Bayer Leverkusen/Algeria)

“Mazadona” has been thrilling on Algeria’s run to the quarters. The 20-year-old Berlin-born attacking midfielder represented Germany as a youth but has Algerian heritage and opted in late 2024 to play for them after impressive performances for Hertha Berlin.

Maza, who joined Leverkusen ahead of this season for a reported 12 million euros ($14m), has had a huge impact for Algeria playing behind the striker.

He came off the bench to score in their opening win against Sudan and has started every game since, picking up the man of the match prize against Burkina Faso and finding the net against Equatorial Guinea. A future superstar.

Akor Adams (Sevilla/Nigeria)

The big 25-year-old striker is a great addition to a fearsome Nigerian attack led by Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.

Adams, who joined La Liga side Sevilla from Montpellier a year ago, was not part of the Super Eagles set-up until October, when he scored on his debut in World Cup qualifying against Lesotho.

Nigeria are up against Algeria in the quarter-final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a semi-final ticket on the line. 

The AFCON classic is a rematch of the 2019 semi-final between the Desert Foxes and the Super Eagles, won by the Algerians courtesy of a stunning late free kick from Riyad Mahrez.

Saturday’s eagerly anticipated match will see two teams on a winning streak at the 2025 AFCON taking on each other. Nigeria’s attacking flair, with 12 goals in four games, will be put to the test against an Algerian defence that has conceded just one in the same number of games. 

The deadly attacking duo of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman will be up against an impregnable Luca Zidane in goal for the 2019 champions, making the clash an interesting encounter.

Nigeria trounced Mozambique 4-0 in the round of 16 to reach the quarter-final, while the Algerians pipped DR Congo 1-0 to book their ticket to the last-eight. 

Nigeria Team News

The Super Eagles go into the encounter against Algeria after a bonus row with players threatening to boycott the game. But with that resolved, the team has the full complement of players for selection. Lookman and Osimhen, both on three goals each, are expected to continue their fine form at the AFCON. The defensive solidity of the West Africans will be tested again, having kept only one clean sheet so far. 

Striker Akor Adams is also a threat to any opponent. The Sevilla man has two assists and a goal in the AFCON. Fulham’s Alex Iwobi has grown into the tournament, and Nigeria need him to be in his best element on Saturday, pulling the strings from the middle of the pack!

Eric Chelle will likely keep faith with the same players who featured in the defeat of the Mozambicans on Monday. 

Algeria Team News

For the Algerians, Mahrez, with multiple Premier League titles, remains one of the most outstanding players for the North Africans. The former Manchester City and Leicester City winger has scored three goals in the competition. 

He, alongside Ibrahim Maza on two goals and Anis Moussa, are players Nigeria must keep an eye on if they are to reach the semis of Africa’s most important competition. 

Lucas, son of French legend Zinedine Zidane, is a towering figure in the post, having yet to concede in the three games he has featured in Morocco. However, Ismael Bennacer is a doubt for Vladimir Petkovic’s team. 

Nigeria vs Algeria: Head-To-Head Record 

While Algeria and Nigeria are not new to facing each other, the Desert Foxes have had the upper hand in 22 games played between the two sides. They have won 10 times, but Nigeria have nine victories to show for. Three of the matches have ended in draws. 

Algeria last met Nigeria at the AFCON in 2019, where they won 1-0. But the three-time African champions mauled them 3-0 in the first leg of their 2018 World Cup qualifier. 

Nigeria vs Algeria: AFCON 2025 Match Details 

Match: Nigeria vs Algeria

Competition: 2025 Africa Cup of Nations

Venue: Marrakech Stadium, Morocco

Date/Time: Saturday at 5 pm (WAT)

Nigeria vs Algeria: Can Nigeria’s Super Eagles Soar Over Algeria?

After the heartbreak of missing out on the 2026 World Cup and failing in the final of the last AFCON, Nigeria will be seeking to stamp their authority as one of the continent’s biggest sides. 

Brahim Diaz kept up his remarkable Africa Cup of Nations scoring record, and Ismael Saibari was also on target as hosts Morocco beat Cameroon 2-0 in their quarter-final showdown on Friday to keep their title dreams alive.

Real Madrid winger Diaz got the decisive touch to Ayoub El Kaabi’s 26th-minute header in front of more than 64,000 fans at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in the capital Rabat.

READ ALSO: Recalled Ndiaye Takes Senegal Past 10-Man Mali Into AFCON Semis

Diaz’s fifth goal in five matches at the tournament was followed by Saibari’s strike in the second half, with Morocco well worth their victory as they progress to a semi-final against the winner of Saturday’s clash between Algeria and Nigeria.

That promises to be a stiffer test for Walid Regragui’s team than that posed by Cameroon, who were hoping to spring an upset, having already exceeded expectations in coming this far after a troubled build-up to the tournament.

The Indomitable Lions, five-time African champions, created little with Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo struggling to make an impact.

Morocco, Africa’s top-ranked team and World Cup semi-finalists in 2022, are under enormous pressure to win the Cup of Nations in front of their own fans, half a century after their last continental title.

There have been doubts as to whether they can handle the weight of expectation, but they remain on course to achieve their objective- it is the first time Morocco have reached the AFCON semi-finals since they lost the 2004 final to Tunisia.

The hosts were unchanged from their 1-0 last-16 win over Tanzania as they looked to continue an unbeaten record going back to their defeat by South Africa at the 2024 AFCON.

Fresh from knocking out South Africa in the last round here, Cameroon were clearly banking on frustrating Morocco as much as possible in an attempt to turn the crowd against the home side.

– Saibari seals it –

Morocco were beaten by the Cameroonians in the semi-finals the last time they hosted AFCON in 1988, but a repeat outcome never really looked likely.

David Pagou’s team were not helped by the early loss of right wing-back Jackson Tchamadeu, who tried to carry on after Noussair Mazraoui landed heavily on his knee before eventually being stretchered off.

Moments after that, Morocco scored. Achraf Hakimi sent in a corner from the right which was headed towards goal by El Kaabi at the near post, and the ball struck Diaz in the groin before going in.

That calmed a frenetic home support, who cheered their team off at the break after seeing Abde Ezzalzouli and El Kaabi come close to adding further goals.

Morocco were on top, and Cameroon’s response was to change formation after the break, from a back three to a 4-2-3-1, in an attempt to create more danger.

Ezzalzouli headed just over from a Hakimi corner, and then a cross by the Paris Saint-Germain star caused havoc in the Cameroon box as Samuel Kotto hooked the ball away from the line.

Recalled Iliman Ndiaye scored in the first half to give Senegal a 1-0 victory over 10-man Mali in Tangiers on Friday in the first Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final.

Mali’s hopes were dealt a severe blow in first-half added time when captain Yves Bissouma was sent off after being shown a second yellow card.

READ ALSO: AFCON: Diaspora Power Transforming Nigeria’s Super Eagles

The only goal followed a blunder by Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra, who then made a string of superb saves to prevent Senegal from increasing their lead.

Seeking a third final appearance in four editions, 2022 champions Senegal will face title-holders Ivory Coast or record seven-time winners Egypt, who meet on Saturday, in the semi-finals.

“I am happy to have won the player of the match award, but the most important thing is that we have progressed to the semi-finals. We played well and are constantly improving,” said Ndiaye.

The 25-year-old Everton striker started in all three group matches, but was an unused substitute in the last-16 victory over Sudan six days ago.

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw said, “It was not an easy match against a talented Mali team. Had we been more clinical in front of the goal, we could have scored more goals.”

“It was a difficult match for us because we had to play (half) of it with 10 men.

“I am proud of the players for what they did, not only tonight but throughout the AFCON,” said Mali coach Tom Saintfiet.

Bissouma was yellow-carded midway through the opening half for fouling Senegal striker and twice African player of the year Sadio Mane.

Mali striker Lassine Sinayoko then broke clear only to be foiled by a superb sliding tackle from fellow French Ligue 1 player Krepin Diatta.

Bissouma Sent Off

The deadlock was broken after 27 minutes on a cold, cloudy evening in the Mediterranean city thanks to Ndiaye.

He was involved three times in a move which ended with goalkeeper Djigui Diarra allowing a Krepin Diarra cross to slip under his body, and Ndiaye struck the loose ball into the net.

While the goal was a gift, it gave Senegal a deserved lead as they had dominated possession in only the second AFCON clash between the countries.

The first was drawn at the group stage in 2004.

Then, for the second successive knockout match, Mali were reduced to 10 men before half-time with Bissouma shown a second yellow card, followed by a red.

The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder fouled Idrissa Gueye, and Malian pleas for the incident to be reviewed by VAR were rejected.

Mali displayed tremendous spirit when reduced to 10 men against Tunisia in the round of 16, and it was evident again against the Senegalese as the second half progressed.

They came close to levelling on 55 minutes when defender Abdoulaye Diaby advanced for a free-kick. His close-range shot brought a reflex save from goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

Diarra atoned for his first-half blunder by making several superb saves to keep alive Malian dreams of winning a maiden AFCON title.

With 15 minutes of regular time remaining, Ndiaye was substituted. In his place came 17-year-old Paris Saint-Germain forward Ibrahim Mbaye, whose goal sealed victory over Sudan.

Diarra rescued Mali again as time ticked away, blocking a shot from substitute Pathe Ciss, who had broken clear.

The Malian goalkeeper made another outstanding save during seven minutes of added time by pushing a Lamine Camara volley to safety.

Football in Nigerisa is one of resilience, passion, building local talents and international recognition, but in recent years, the role of the Nigerian diaspora has become a focal point in the resurgence of the national teams, especially the Super Eagles.

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), being hosted by Morocco, yet again highlights how players raised and trained abroad are not just warming jerseys but redefining the squad’s competitive edge. The likes of the 2024 CAF African Footballer of the Year, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, and Bright Osayi-Samuel stand out as symbols of the transformation.

Born in the UK, Italy, or other parts of Europe, these young players bring to the national team tactical discipline, technical sharpness, and professional exposure from the developed world. But when they don the green and white jersey, they personify the passion and unpredictability that have long defined the game of football in Africa.

Lessons From AFCON 2023

Nigeria’s journey to the 2023 final in the Ivory Coast was a turning point for the Super Eagles. Powered by diaspora talent, the boys showcased a blend of European precision and African flair that left opponents stunned. Netherlands-born William Troost-Ekong was the biggest surprise of the tournament, scoring six goals as a defender and emerging as the 2023 AFCON Player of the Tournament.

Lookman, a marksman for Serie A side Atalanta in Italy, was one of the standout performers, scoring crucial goals and proving himself a reliable attacking force. Iwobi, with his Premier League experience, provided midfield creativity and composure under pressure.

Twenty-six-year-old Bassey’s defensive solidity, honed at Fulham in England, strengthened Nigeria’s backbone, while Semi Ajayi’s aerial presence and versatility added depth.

Osayi-Samuel offered width and defensive cover with his pace and adaptability. Together, these players helped Nigeria overcome giants of African football, only narrowly losing in the final to the host, the Ivory Coast. But that campaign rekindled national pride and reminded the continent of Nigeria’s footballing pedigree.

AFCON 2025

Fast-forward to the 2025 tournament in Morocco, and the diaspora influence is even more pronounced. Nigeria’s squad, announced by coach Eric Chelle in December 2025, is a balanced mix of homegrown stars and diaspora players.

The team’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Mozambique in the round of 16 showcased the blend perfectly. Lookman scored yet again, while Victor Osimhen, Nigeria’s talisman, combined seamlessly with diaspora teammates to dismantle the opposition.

Analysts praised the team’s resilience, noting how diaspora players have injected a winning mentality that transcends tribe and religion into the squad. A former Super Eagles media officer, Toyin Ibitoye, advised Nigeria to stay focused despite their 4-0 win over Mozambique at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

“You can only face the team that is ahead of you. Some people believe that when you win a tournament, it doesn’t mean you are the best. You are just lucky to beat all the teams placed ahead of you,” Ibitoye said on Tuesday’s edition of Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

“Your most important game is the next one. You don’t think ahead of yourself, you think of the next game ahead of you. That’s the most important game for you to play,” he added on the breakfast show.

Comportment

However, the Super Eagles’ march to the last eight against the Desert Foxes of Algeria was not without hitches. Reports of unpaid bonuses threatened the campaign, though the National Sports Commission explained the government’s position here. But the players remained unfazed.

Interestingly, this crop of players displays maturity on the pitch. Lookman downplayed his altercation with talismanic Osimhen in Nigeria’s win over Mozambique at the 2025 AFCON, saying the incident was just about “football” and was nothing personal.

“Nothing happened. It was just a discussion on the pitch. That is it,” the Atalanta man, who scored twice, as the Super Eagles crushed the Mambas 4-0, said after the match.

“It’s just football. It’s always football. He (Victor Osimhen) is my brother,” Lookman, winner of the African Player of the Year prize in 2024, told reporters in Fez.

The Galatasaray man and Lookman had exchanged words during the Round of 16 match on Monday. The three-time African champions were already 3-0 up, but Osimhen was furious with Lookman for not passing the ball to him despite being in a better position to score.

Even Osimhen, who was furious with Lookman for not passing the ball to him despite being in a better position to score, said, “It is a team game,” pointing to the Europa League winner who had given him an assist in the match.

Diaspora ‘Superiority’

The impact of diaspora footballers goes beyond goals and tackles. They bring exposure to elite football systems. Training academies across Europe equip them with tactical awareness and fitness standards that elevate the team.

These players increase global visibility as playing in top leagues guarantees that Nigerian football remains visible on the world stage. This inspires young talents back home. Diaspora players embody a hybrid identity — European discipline fused with Nigerian flair — making the Super Eagles unpredictable and dynamic. Their experiences abroad instil discipline, helping younger homegrown players adapt to international standards.

Drawbacks, Criticisms

Indeed, the reliance on diaspora talent is not without debate. Some argue that Nigeria risks sidelining homegrown players who rise through local academies. Others worry about identity — whether players raised abroad can fully grasp the emotional weight of representing Nigeria, a nation with over 200 million people.

But superlative performances in AFCON 2023 and, now, 2025 have silenced many doubters. For instance, Lookman’s goals, Iwobi’s creativity, and Bassey’s defensive fortitude are proof that diaspora players are not outsiders but integral parts of Nigeria’s footballing family.

Beyond AFCON

The impact of the diaspora is not limited to tournaments; it is shaping Nigeria’s footballing future. Young Nigerians abroad see the Super Eagles as a viable career path, and this broadens the country’s talent pool, ensuring continuity. Furthermore, the success of diaspora players strengthens Nigeria’s case for investment in grassroots football, as the nation seeks to balance local development with international exposure.

For Nigerians in the diaspora, watching Iwobi, Lookman, Bassey, Ajayi and Osayi-Samuel shine at AFCON is deeply symbolic, as it affirms that identity is not bound by geography. Whether raised in Milan, Lagos or London, the players carry Nigeria deep in their hearts. Their success bridges the gap between homeland and diaspora, uniting Nigerians with shared pride worldwide.

The Legacy

As Nigeria chase their fourth AFCON title in Morocco, the role of diaspora players cannot be overstated. They are not the contributors but the architects of Nigeria’s football renaissance. From the heartbreak of the 2023 final to the promise of 2025, diaspora footballers have proven that Nigeria’s strength lies in its rich global spread.

Morocco coach Walid Regragui on Thursday sought to remove some of the pressure on his team as he suggested Cameroon had more to lose in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final between the sides.

The tournament hosts are the favourites to win the competition given their home advantage as well as the fact they are Africa’s leading side in the FIFA world rankings.

But the expectation on them brings an enormous weight of pressure that is in contrast to Cameroon, who have reached the last eight despite a chaotic build-up to the Cup of Nations which saw them appoint a new coach weeks before their opening game.

There is also a historical precendent: the last time Morocco hosted the Cup of Nations was in 1988, when their dream of winning the title was ended in defeat by Roger Milla’s Indomitable Lions in the semi-finals in Casablanca.

“The reality is that Cameroon have generally been Morocco’s bete noire. They have often come here and won. But that was in the past. We are the new Morocco so what happened then no longer matters,” Regragui said on the eve of Friday’s clash.

He then suggested that Cameroon’s failure to qualify for the upcoming World Cup means they have more to lose than a Moroccan team desperate to win the continental title in front of their fans, half a century after their sole Cup of Nations triumph to date.

“The reality now is that Cameroon are on form, and this is their competition because they have everything to lose,” Regragui insisted.

“If they go no further they will have to wait two or three more years for another major tournament.

“We also have something to lose because we are at home but in four months we have the World Cup so we have another competition to play.

“That is why Cameroon will be motivated, more than usual. There is pressure on us but on them too.”

READ ALSO: [2025 AFCON] NSC Explains Reason For Delay In Payment Of Super Eagles’ Bonus

 Hakimi back to his best? 

The Morocco coach was also full of praise for his Cameroonian counterpart David Pagou, whose calm demeanour has helped a young side progress from their group and then eliminate South Africa in the last 16.

“We are playing the host nation, a top side who have really good individuals as well as a collective that works well together,” admitted Pagou.

“And also, not that I am a historian but Morocco have not lost at home in a very long time. So that is an extra source of motivation.”

For Morocco, the Lille striker Hamza Igamane is fit again after injury but Regragui acknowledged that midfield lynchpin Sofyan Amrabat is still struggling with an ankle problem while veteran defender Romain Saiss is also not fully fit.

However, captain Achraf Hakimi is set to start again after doing so for the first time in the tournament in the narrow last-16 win against Tanzania.

“Achraf hadn’t played 90 minutes in almost two months. He played very well against Tanzania but we have not yet seen Achraf at his best. Hopefully we will tomorrow,” Regragui said of the African player of the year, who suffered an ankle injury with Paris Saint-Germain in early November.