AFCON Quarterfinal Preview
Ahead of the AFCON quarterfinals, we look at the stakes for the stars of Ligue 1 McDonald's and their respective national teams.
Mali v Senegal, 1700 CET Friday
No less than fifteen Ligue 1 McDonald's players are in the squads as Les Aigles square off against the Lions of Teranga. The Monaco duo of Krépin Diatta and Lamina Camara have been key for Senegal, who have won three of four matches in the tournament, save a draw against DR Congo. Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye, still just 17, scored his first goal for his country in the Round of 16 win over Sudan, and remains one to keep an eye on. As for Mali, they remain unfancied, but will look to Auxerre's Lassine Sinayoko (three goals in four matches) to make the difference.
Cameroon v Morocco, 2000 CET Friday
In Friday's second match, the hosts will welcome a Cameroon side who are dangerous on their day, but have been somewhat lucky to advance to this point in the tournament, having relied on own goals against Mozambique and Côte d'Ivoire to progress. As for Morocco, with PSG's Achraf Hakimi fit again, they look to be one of the favorites, having conceded just once in the tournament's four matches to date.
Algeria gets a late win and books its ticket to the quarter-finals 🇩🇿😱 pic.twitter.com/tE53ZNrGX5
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) January 6, 2026
Algeria v Nigeria, 1700 CET Saturday
With 12 goals through their first four matches, the Super Eagles have been irresistible, with former Ligue 1 players Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams helping lead the attack. But on-pitch friction between Osimhen and Ademola Lookman put a damper on a big win over Sudan and Nigeria will have to come back stronger against an Algeria side who have been resolute throughout, conceding just once with Nice midfielder Hicham Boudaoui looking impressive at every turn.
Egypt v Côte d'Ivoire, 2000 CET Saturday
The final quarterfinal will see the depending champions take on an Egypt side boasting the wily veteran Mohamed Salah, but Les Elephants might have a weapon of their own in Guéla Doué -- the RC Strasbourg defender has been hugely impressive throughout the competition and never more so than in a lockdown 3-0 win over Burkina Faso in the Round of 16.
