By Kunle Solaja, Marrakech

Pedigree has prevailed as the 35th Africa Cup of Nations gets to a crescendo. A power-packed assembly of four is what remains as the competition, devoid of upsets, is set for the semi-finals this Wednesday.

Hosts Morocco prepare to face Nigeria, while Senegal will take on Egypt in an all-heavyweights last-four line-up.

Africa’s traditional powerhouses are left standing after a dramatic quarter-final weekend that delivered goals, tension and fine margins, with the four remaining nations boasting a combined 12 AFCON titles between them.

Hosts Morocco national football team will lock horns with a star-studded Nigeria national football team, while Senegal national football team faces record champions Egypt national football team in what promises to be two compelling semi-final contests.

Egypt claimed the final spot in the last four on Saturday night after edging defending champions Côte d’Ivoire 3–2 in a thrilling encounter that ended the Elephants’ reign and set up a mouthwatering clash with Senegal. The seven-time champions showed resilience and composure to prevail in one of the standout matches of the tournament so far.

Senegal had earlier booked their semi-final ticket with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Mali, Iliman Ndiaye’s first-half strike proving decisive in a tense West African derby. The Teranga Lions expertly managed the contest thereafter, controlling possession and protecting their slender advantage to reach yet another AFCON semi-final.

Hosts Morocco also remain firmly on course for a first continental crown in 50 years after a composed 2–0 win over Cameroon in Rabat. Goals from Brahim Díaz and Ismaël Saibari underlined the Atlas Lions’ attacking quality and defensive balance as they continued an impressive home campaign.

Completing the quartet are Nigeria, who delivered a commanding display to dispatch Algeria 2–0 in Marrakech. Victor Osimhen broke the deadlock after a tightly contested opening spell before Akor Adams sealed the win, confirming the Super Eagles’ return to the last four and setting up a blockbuster showdown with the hosts.

The quarter-final results underlined how pedigree and composure have begun to shape the tournament after an unpredictable group phase and fiercely contested Round of 16.

The semi-finals will be played on Wednesday, 14 January, with Senegal facing Egypt and Morocco taking on Nigeria, as the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 moves closer to its climax ahead of the final in Rabat on 18 January.

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By Kunle Solaja, Marrakech

In the packed stadiums of Morocco, Egypt, Senegal, and Nigeria, the chants echo louder than ever. But this year, it’s not just the players who are rewriting history — it’s the men on the sidelines. For the first time in the Africa Cup of Nations’ history, every semi-finalist is guided by an African coach. The elimination of foreign-led teams has left the stage entirely to homegrown tacticians, ensuring that the 2025 trophy will be lifted by one of their own.

For decades, African football was often seen through the lens of imported expertise. European coaches were brought in to “add discipline” or “bring structure.” Yet, in recent years, a quiet revolution has been unfolding. Djamel Belmadi’s Algeria in 2019, Aliou Cissé’s Senegal in 2021, and Émerse Fae’s Côte d’Ivoire in 2023 all proved that African managers could not only compete but conquer.

Now, Walid Regragui, Hossam Hassan, Pape Thiaw, and Eric Chelle stand at the helm of Morocco, Egypt, Senegal, and Nigeria. Each carries the weight of national pride, but together they represent something larger: the affirmation that African football belongs in African hands.

The statistics are impressive — 15 of the 24 teams in AFCON 2025 were led by African coaches, 11 advanced past the group stage, and three-quarters of all victories have come under local leadership. But behind those numbers are stories of trust, cultural connection, and belief.

Players speak of coaches who understand their struggles, their humour, their languages, and their rhythms. These managers are not outsiders trying to decode a culture; they are insiders who live it. Their tactical decisions are shaped not only by footballing logic but by an intimate knowledge of what drives their players.

Take Hossam Hassan, Egypt’s fiery leader. Once a legendary striker, he now paces the touchline with the same intensity he showed on the pitch.

If he guides Egypt to victory, he will join Mahmoud El-Gohary and Stephen Keshi in the rare class of men who have won AFCON both as players and coaches. For Hassan, it’s not just about silverware — it’s about legacy, about proving that Egyptian football can thrive under its own guardians.

Or Walid Regragui, whose calm authority has turned Morocco into a disciplined, fearless unit. His journey from local club coach to continental contender mirrors the rise of African managers themselves: once underestimated, they are now impossible to ignore.

As the semi-finals approach, the atmosphere is electric. Fans know that no matter who wins, the victory will belong to Africa’s own. It will be a triumph not just of skill but of identity — a celebration of coaches who have fought for recognition, earned respect, and now stand as symbols of a continent’s footballing maturity.

AFCON 2025 is more than a tournament. It is a statement: African football is being shaped, defined, and led by Africans. And when the trophy is lifted, it will carry with it the dreams of millions — and the undeniable proof that the future of the game belongs to those who live it every day.

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By Kunle Solaja, Marrakech

Strikers Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams struck in quick succession after the break as Nigeria delivered a commanding performance to defeat Algeria 2–0 in Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final, booking a semi-final showdown with hosts Morocco.

Osimhen broke the deadlock just two minutes into the second half, steering home a deep cross from the left by Bruno Onyemaechi. Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane misjudged the flight of the ball, making an awkward leap that left him stranded as the Napoli forward finished calmly for his fourth goal of the tournament.

Ten minutes later, Osimhen turned provider, showing admirable unselfishness to square for Adams, who rounded Zidane before rolling the ball into an empty net to double Nigeria’s advantage.

It was a thoroughly dominant display by Nigeria, who brushed aside recent disappointment over missing out on World Cup qualification to overwhelm their North African rivals at the Grand Stade de Marrakech. From the opening exchanges, the Super Eagles looked sharper, stronger in the tackle and quicker in transition, denying Algeria a single clear scoring opportunity throughout the contest.

Algeria were already under severe pressure in the first half as Nigeria created the better chances and arguably should have gone into the interval in front. In the 29th minute, centre-back Ramy Bensebaini cleared off the line after goalkeeper Zidane misjudged Ademola Lookman’s free-kick, allowing Calvin Bassey to prod goalward from a tight angle. Although replays appeared to show the ball had crossed the line, a VAR review — in the absence of goalline technology — did not award a goal.

Nigeria continued to press. In the 37th minute, a poor clearance from Zidane was intercepted by Alex Iwobi, who quickly released Adams, but the striker dragged his left-footed effort wide with only the goalkeeper to beat. Adams later headed against the upright in the 82nd minute, again after being teed up by Osimhen’s relentless industry.

Algeria, who had been taken to extra time in their last-16 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo earlier in the week, appeared to suffer from fatigue, with several key players delivering subdued performances. Nigeria, by contrast, came into the tie fresher after a comfortable 4–0 win over Mozambique.

The victory extends Nigeria’s remarkable record at the Africa Cup of Nations, with the three-time champions now reaching the last four for the 17th time in the last 20 tournaments they have qualified for. They will face Morocco in the semi-finals in Rabat on Wednesday, with a place in the final at stake.

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