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.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

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.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

By Kunle Solaja, Marrakech

On the eve of a potentially epic quarter-final confrontation between Algeria and Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations, Marrakech opened its doors to the world’s football media with effortless grace. I arrived in Morocco alongside fellow journalists from across continents, guests of the Moroccan National Association of Media and Publishers, whose hospitality framed the journey as much as the destination.

Our passage from Casablanca to Marrakech unfolded in daylight, aboard a convoy of luxurious Mercedes-Benz VIP minibuses.

The sun revealed Morocco in motion — long ribbons of highway, ochre plains stretching into the distance, and towns gently easing into one another. It was a journey that allowed you to see the country breathe, unhurried and confident, as conversations flowed easily among journalists already trading predictions, story angles and football folklore.

By the time we rolled onto M Avenue, Marrakech was fully awake and radiant. Cafés hummed with late-afternoon chatter, terraces glowed under the sun, and the clean lines of modern storefronts reflected a city that has mastered the art of blending tradition with contemporary flair. Rising confidently along the boulevard was our destination for the night: Pestana CR7 Marrakech, the sleek lifestyle hotel co-owned by global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo.

Even in daylight, the hotel made a statement. Contemporary without being intimidating, stylish without excess, it carried a quiet assurance — the same kind of self-belief associated with the footballer whose name crowns its identity.

Inside, the lobby revealed a carefully calibrated welcome. Cool minimalism met Moroccan warmth in a space that felt instantly calming. There were no overbearing football motifs, no ostentatious shrine to trophies. Instead, the CR7 presence was refined and restrained — clean lines, muted tones, and an atmosphere of precision that suggested excellence as a standard, not a spectacle.

An image of Cristiano Ronaldo at the lobby, gesturing as if welcoming the guests.

Check-in was disarmingly smooth. The formalities had been concluded even before our arrival. A simple mention of one’s surname was enough for the room key to be produced — an elegant touch that immediately made a weary traveller feel expected rather than processed.

Along the ground floor walls, framed images of Ronaldo offered subtle visual punctuation. Moving toward the corridor that led to the elevators, three of his jerseys came into view, neatly framed, followed by a pair of iconic boots encased in glass.

My room continued the theme. The television set presented a welcome message for me. The room is modern without being cold, plush without being showy.

The bed invited surrender, the lighting was mood-perfect, and the city hummed faintly beyond the window, an indication that Marrakech never truly sleeps.

This is not my first visit to the Red City. Yet each return reinforces the same feeling — an irresistible pull that grows stronger with familiarity. Marrakech does not merely welcome you; it persuades you to come back. And at Pestana CR7 Marrakech, arriving in daylight, with football history waiting to be written the next evening, that persuasion felt complete.

At the top floor of the Pestana CR7 Marrakech, the rooftop, one can get a panoramic views of the Atlas Mountains and the dynamic M Avenue.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H