Egypt and Nigeria Complete AFCON Semi-Final Lineup

Africa Cup of Nations has its final four, with Egypt national football team and Nigeria national football team booking their semifinal places after dramatic quarterfinal victories on Saturday.

Salah leads Egypt past defending champions

Mohamed Salah scored his fourth goal of the tournament as Egypt eliminated defending champions Ivory Coast national football team with a thrilling 3–2 win in Agadir.

Salah’s strike in the 52nd minute restored Egypt’s two-goal cushion after Ivory Coast twice fought their way back into the match. The Pharaohs had taken early control when Omar Marmoush scored in the fourth minute, capitalising on defensive errors, before Ramy Rabia doubled the lead with a header from a corner.

Ivory Coast pulled one back just before halftime when an Ahmed Fotouh own goal followed a dangerous free kick from Yan Diomande. Salah then struck early in the second half, finishing off a sweeping move to make it 3–1.

A late goal from Guéla Doué raised hopes of an equaliser, but Egypt held firm under heavy pressure. The win sends Egypt into a semifinal clash with Senegal national football team, champions in 2021.

Egypt are now chasing a record-extending eighth AFCON title.

Super Eagles soar past Algeria

Earlier in the day, Nigeria secured their semifinal berth with a composed 2–0 victory over Algeria national football team in Marrakech.

Victor Osimhen opened the scoring in the second half, heading across goal from Bruno Onyemaechi’s cross. It was the first goal conceded in the tournament by Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane.

Moments later, Osimhen turned provider, squaring the ball for Akor Adams, who rounded the keeper and slotted into an empty net to seal the win.

The Super Eagles, three-time AFCON champions, will now face hosts Morocco national football team in the semifinals. Nigeria are bidding to lift the trophy for the first time since 2013, seeking redemption after losing the previous final to Ivory Coast.