AFCON 2025: Four teams, one trophy

 The semi-final line-up is very inquisitive.  Who will succeed Côte d'Ivoire in the winners' list of the African Cup of Nations? See you on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the day both matches will play.

Senegal and Egypt set the tone

The first game of the semi-finals will be the opposition between Senegal and Egypt. This match will be played on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 5 PM GMT at the Ibn-Batouta stadium in Tangier. A multi-stake match for both teams. 

Senegal advances without shining but remains pragmatic. In the quarter-finals, the Lions eliminated Mali on the narrowest of margins (1-0) thanks to the goal by Iliman Ndiaye. Against Egypt, the Senegalese selection has the psychological advantage. In recent years, she beat the Pharaohs in the final of the 2021 edition in Cameroon and deprived them of the 2022 World Cup after very heated playoffs. 

Egypt advances with enhanced confidence. After having struggled against Benin in the round of 16, the Egyptian selection unexpectedly knocked Côte d'Ivoire into the quarter-finals. Offensively with 3 goals scored from 4 shots on target and tactically well in place, they  gave the Elephants a hard time. The Pharaohs have a beautiful defensive base and agree to endure in order to proceed with rapid attacks for recovery. They bet on the speed of Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush. They also have an affront to wash off against Senegal in addition to the search for qualification for the final. 

Senegal - Egypt is also the reunion between the two former Liverpool teammates: Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah.

Senegal and Egypt have faced off 15 times. The balance is slightly in favor of the Pharaohs with 7 wins, 2 draws and 6 defeats. Egyptians scored 9 goals to 7 for the Senegalese.

A very open match between Nigeria and Morocco

Two teams with an offensive prowess. This display of the semi-finals should keep all its promises given the course of the two selections since the beginning of the competition. This match will take place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 20:00 GMT.

Nigeria is very scary with their fire attack. 14 goals were scored by the Super Eagles in 5 games. Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, this duo really hurts the opponents. Algeria paid the price in the quarter-finals by losing 2-0 and being overtaken by events. It’s a Nigerian team that knows how to control the match and is solid in all compartments. A defense, who conceded only 4 goals, manned  by Calvin Bassey (central defender) and Bright Osayi-Samuel (right back).

Opposite, there is also Morocco which knows how to put intensity, which is collective and can also rely on its individualities. Brahim Diaz, the current top scorer with 5 goals, will be the number one danger in the defense of the Super Eagles. The Atlas Lions have scored 9 goals and only conceded one after 5 outings. Facing Cameroon in the quarter-finals, they achieved a very high level first period, suffocating the Indomitable Lions in their half of the field. Crowned with their 2-0 victory, they are ready to challenge Nigeria and qualify for the final of the competition. The objective is to lift the trophy at home after a 50 years wait. 

Morocco and Nigeria have played 18 times. The Atlas Lions lead the debates with 8 wins, 6 defeats and 4 draws. 

Nigeria - Morocco is also the duel between Osimhen (4 goals) and Brahim Diaz (5 goals), two forwards who are in the race for the competition’s best scorer trophy.