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Mohamed Salah scored as Egypt won 3-2 to dump defending champions Ivory Coast out of the Africa Cup of Nations in a thrilling quarter-final on Saturday.

Omar Marmoush and Ramy Rabia netted for Egypt, then Ahmed Aboul-Fetouh conceded an own goal before half-time.

Salah then edged closer to a first Africa Cup of Nations winners’ medal by doubling the lead soon after the break before Guela Doue pulled a goal back for Ivory Coast.

Egypt will face Senegal on Wednesday in Tangiers, with the winners meeting hosts Morocco or Nigeria four days later in the final.

The triumph in Agadir confirmed the AFCON dominance of Egypt over the Ivory Coast since they first met 56 years ago. The Pharaohs have won 11 times and the Elephants just once.

READ ALSO: High-Flying Super Eagles Defeat Algeria’s Desert Foxes To Reach AFCON Semi-Final

Ivory Coast became the eighth consecutive titleholders unable to successfully defend the title since Egypt achieved the feat in 2010.

Salah has helped Liverpool win the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League and Club World Cup, in its previous format, but the most prized African medal has eluded him.

The 33-year-old has twice been a runner-up after losses in the AFCON final to Cameroon in 2017 and Senegal five years later. He was also in Egyptian teams that twice made unexpected last-16 exits.

Now he is two matches away from realising his long-time dream of helping Egypt win the AFCON a record-extending eighth time.

Salah arrived in Morocco for the premier African sporting event amid uncertainty over his future at Liverpool after a post-match outburst following a draw at Leeds United.

The Egyptian, demoted to the substitutes’ bench after a run of poor results by the Anfield outfit, claimed he had been “thrown under the bus”.

Clinical Best

But he has been back to his predatory best at the AFCON, scoring the match-winner against Zimbabwe and South Africa at the group stage, then the goal that sealed a last-16 victory over Benin.

On Saturday, Egypt took the lead just 182 seconds after the kick-off through Manchester City striker Marmoush.

Ivory Coast lost possession, Emam Ashour delivered a superb pass and Marmoush took advantage of Odilon Kossounou slipping to beat goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.

Egypt increased their lead on 32 minutes when centre-back Rabia soared above Ibrahim Sangare at the far post to meet a Salah corner, and his looping header beat Fofana.

The defending champions were rattled and needed to score. It came after 40 minutes when Egyptian Aboul-Fetouh conceded an own goal.

Yan Diomande, the 19-year-old RB Leipzig striker, floated a free kick into the heart of the six-yard box, Kossounou nodded the ball goalwards, and it entered the net off the midriff of Aboul-Fetouh.

Salah restored Egypt’s two-goal lead just seven minutes into the second half, and once again, Ashour from African club giants Al Ahly was the creator.

The midfielder gained possession on the left wing, and his low, curved cross was perfectly weighted for Salah to push the ball into the net despite being under pressure from Ghislain Konan.

Ivory Coast, which overcame a two-goal deficit to beat Gabon in a group match, once again halved the deficit after 73 minutes.

President Bola Tinubu has praised the Super Eagles following their emphatic 2–0 victory over Algeria in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday.

Nigeria booked a place in the semi-finals with a commanding performance at the Grand Stade de Marrakech, ending Algeria’s impressive defensive run in the tournament.

The Desert Foxes had conceded just one goal prior to the encounter, but were undone by Nigeria’s intensity and clinical finishing in the second half.

Reacting shortly after the final whistle, President Tinubu took to X to commend the team’s display.

“Brilliant performance… inspiring. Go, Super Eagles! You have the support of all Nigerians,” he wrote, with hashtags #Naija4TheWin and #AFCON2025.

READ ALSO: BUA Group Chairman Pledges $500,000, Bonuses To Super Eagles’ Win Over Algeria

After a goalless first half, Nigeria took the lead in the 47th minute through Victor Osimhen’s header from Bruno Onyemaechi’s cross.

Ten minutes later, Akor Adams doubled the advantage following a precise assist from Osimhen, set up by Alex Iwobi.

Nigeria dominated throughout, creating multiple chances and keeping Algeria under pressure, while Algeria failed to register a single shot on target.

Late substitutions, including Moses Simon, helped Nigeria control the closing stages comfortably.

Osimhen Thanks Fans

Speaking after the match, Osimhen thanked Nigerian supporters for their backing.

“Hello to the Super Eagles fans. Thank you so much for your support worldwide.
“This victory was not easy, and I’m happy that the team got the win against Algeria.

“Thank you for your support. We will continue to build on this momentum and hopefully get to the final and win it,” he said.

The victory sets up a high-profile semi-final clash between Nigeria and tournament hosts Morocco.

With confidence high and their attacking unit in form, the Super Eagles appear well-positioned to challenge for a fourth continental title.

President Tinubu has consistently shown support for the national team, having fulfilled previously pledged rewards for the Super Eagles’ 2023 AFCON campaign and fully backing Nigeria’s participation in the 2025 tournament.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Saturday defeated the Desert Foxes of Algeria in their the quarter final match, paving the way for a blockbuster semi-final showdown against the hosts Morocco.

READ ALSO: AFCON 2025: BUA Group Chairman Pledges $500,000, Bonuses To Super Eagles For Semi-Final

A 2-0 win at the Stade de Marrakech gave Nigeria the needed revenge against their North African opponents who knocked them out of the semi-finals of the tournament in 2019.

The goals in the scored in the second-half came from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams, sealing victory for the three-time champions.

Here are photos that captured some memmorable moments from the game:

The Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, has announced a major financial incentive for the Super Eagles following their impressive victory over Algeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a win that secured Nigeria’s place in the semi-finals of the tournament.

In a statement posted on his Facebook and X accounts, shortly after the match, Rabiu congratulated the players for what he described as a performance that “lifted the spirit of the nation,” pledging $500,000 to the team if they win their semi-final clash against hosts Morocco, alongside an additional $50,000 for every goal scored in that match.

He further promised a $1 million reward should Nigeria go on to win the final, with an extra $100,000 per goal scored in the championship game.

– 10.JAN.2026 –

Congratulations to our Super Eagles players on a brilliant victory against Algeria!

You have lifted the spirit of the nation, and we proudly cheer you on as you prepare for the semi-finals.

To encourage you, I pledge USD $500,000 to the players upon winning… pic.twitter.com/QEHiiXO8vL

The Super Eagles’ victory over Algeria was widely hailed as one of their most assured performances of the tournament.

Displaying tactical discipline, intensity, and attacking confidence, Nigeria overcame a traditionally tough North African opponent to keep their title ambitions alive.

READ ALSO: High-Flying Super Eagles Defeat Algeria’s Desert Foxes To Reach AFCON Semi-Final

The win extended Nigeria’s strong run at the Morocco-hosted tournament and reinforced growing belief that the team has the quality and depth to challenge for the continental crown.

Rabiu’s pledge adds to the growing wave of national support surrounding the team as they enter the decisive stages of the competition.

In his message, the BUA Group chairman praised the players for carrying the nation forward and urged them to continue making Nigeria proud as they push for AFCON glory.

The incentives, he noted, are meant to encourage the squad as they prepare for the high-stakes matches ahead.

As the Super Eagles set their sights on the semi-finals, the combination of on-field momentum, public enthusiasm, and private-sector backing has heightened expectations back home.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a commanding 2–0 victory over Algeria at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Saturday.

The Desert Foxes, who had conceded just one goal throughout the tournament before the quarter-final, were undone by Nigeria’s relentless pressure and clinical second-half finishing.

The result sets up a mouth-watering semi-final clash between Nigeria and tournament hosts Morocco.

Though the first half was goalless despite Nigeria’s dominance, the Super Eagles scored twice in the second half to cap an impressive display.

Nigeria broke the deadlock two minutes after the restart when Victor Osimhen rose highest to power home a trademark header from Bruno Onyemaechi’s pinpoint cross.

Victor Osimhen opened the scoring in the 47th minute with a powerful header, before Akor Adams sealed the win in the 57th minute with a composed right-footed finish.

READ ALSO: Diaz Scores Again As Morocco Beat Cameroon To Reach AFCON Semis

The goal was Osimhen’s fourth of the tournament.

Ten minutes later, the Super Eagles doubled their advantage with a beautifully executed team move.

Alex Iwobi split the Algerian defence with a delightful outside-of-the-boot pass, Osimhen selflessly squared the ball across goal, and Adams calmly rounded goalkeeper Luca Zidane before slotting into an empty net.

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Nigeria had dominated proceedings long before the goals arrived.

In the first half, they controlled possession, dictated the tempo, and created multiple scoring opportunities, with Algeria defender Ramy Bensebaini making several crucial goal-line clearances to keep the score level at the break.

Algeria struggled to impose itself and failed to register a single shot on target throughout the match, despite second-half changes that included the introduction of Baghdad Bounedjah.

Nigeria, meanwhile, continued to threaten, with Adams later hitting the post and other chances going narrowly wide.

Iwobi orchestrated play superbly from midfield, while Calvin Bassey anchored the defence with authority.

Wilfred Ndidi received a yellow card, which could raise concerns ahead of the semi-final, but Nigeria’s defensive unit remained solid to see out the contest. Late substitutions, including Moses Simon, helped manage the closing stages comfortably.

The victory sends Nigeria into the semi-finals, where they will face hosts Morocco in what promises to be a blockbuster encounter.

With their attack firing and confidence soaring, the Super Eagles look well-positioned to push for a fourth continental title.

Carlos Alcaraz beat his great rival Jannik Sinner in a light-hearted sell-out exhibition match in South Korea on Saturday, ahead of the Australian Open.

Eight days before the Melbourne Grand Slam and in their first appearances this year, the Spanish world number one won 7-5, 7-6 (8/6) in front of an enthusiastic 12,000 crowd in Incheon.

Neither will play competitively until the Australian Open, where Italy’s world number two Sinner is the defending two-time champion.

South Korean organisers have not said how much the two players earned, but reports in Italy suggest each could pocket more than $2 million for the match that lasted one hour and 47 minutes.

READ ALSO: Diaz Scores Again As Morocco Beat Cameroon To Reach AFCON Semis

It was not always entirely serious; the smiling duo treated a packed house to some trick shots between their legs, drawing cheers, and reacted to calls from the crowd by making heart gestures.

“Jannik, we finished the season playing together. We started the season playing together,” Alcaraz said on court afterwards.

“So hopefully this season is going to be such a good one like last year. You deserve the best.”

Alcaraz and Sinner have taken a stranglehold on men’s tennis over the past two years, splitting all four Grand Slam titles between them in 2024 and 2025.

“It was a close match, so a little bit of tension also,” said Sinner.

“We were just happy to be here for the first time, seeing something new. It made us feel at home, and we felt it on the court.”

Arch competitors on the court but good friends off it, Alcaraz has the upper hand in their rivalry and came into the exhibition boasting a 10-6 head-to-head record.

They will be the favourites when the Australian Open starts in Melbourne on January 18, when the serious work begins.