from MOHAMED EL KADIRI in Rabat, Morocco
Morocco Bureau
RABAT, (CAJ News) – THE quarterfinals of the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) promise to be the most fiercely contested in the tournament’s 69-year history.
The last-eight stage, beginning Friday, underscores the continued dominance of North and West African football over the decades, with Cameroon the sole representative from Central Africa.
This edition in Morocco has largely followed the formbook and is shaping up to be the most blockbuster AFCON ever.
Eight of the quarterfinalists rank among the top ten in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) rankings. Except for Mali, a consistently solid performer, all are previous AFCON champions.
The action kicks off with eighth-ranked Mali facing Senegal’s Teranga Lions, who sit second in CAF rankings, at the Grande Stade de Tanger.
Later, tenth-ranked Cameroon will take on hosts Morocco, the top-ranked team, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Morocco, despite being crowned AFCON champions only once—50 years ago in Ethiopia—boasts a golden generation that made history as the first African team to reach the World Cup semifinals in 2022.
Tournament-leading scorer Ibrahim Diaz, with four goals, is the man to watch, while fellow striker Ayoub El Kaabi has dazzled with two spectacular bicycle-kick goals.
Cameroon, by contrast, are the continent’s most decorated team with five AFCON titles.
On Saturday, Algeria (third-ranked) face Nigeria, the fifth-ranked Super Eagles. Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez and Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen have each scored three goals in the tournament.
Egypt, ranked fourth in Africa, will meet holders Ivory Coast, seventh in CAF rankings, at Stade Adrar in Agadir.
Egypt’s Mo Salah leads the scoring charts with three goals, matching Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo. Both Diallo and Salah, while struggling at their English clubs, have found form in national colours.
With such star-studded squads and high stakes, the quarterfinals are expected to deliver intense drama and showcase some of the finest African football talent.
The semifinals are scheduled for Wednesday, with the final set for Sunday.
This AFCON has not only highlighted Africa’s footballing strength but also promises a riveting conclusion, with Morocco’s Atlas Lions aiming to claim their long-awaited second title on home soil.
– CAJ News