The quarter-finals at the 2023 AFCON is set to continue on Saturday, February 3rd as four more teams vie for a coveted spot in the semi-finals and beyond. Several of the continent's biggest teams, including Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Cameroon, Ghana, and reigning champions Senegal have all been already eliminated. Will there be more surprises in store at this year's African Cup of Nations?
Here's all you need to know.
Preview: Mali vs Ivory Coast
Mali come into this contest having narrowly secured a 2-1 win over Burkina Faso in the round of 16. The Eagles had a solid but not entirely enthralling group stage campaign, with a 2-0 win over South Africa and two draws with Tunisia (1-1) and Namibia (0-0) enough to ensure that Eric Chelle's men secured a spot in the round of 16. To date, Mali, whose best finish at the AFCON was a runners-up medal in 1972, have never lost in the quarter-finals of this competition - but will be facing a frustrating record when it comes to playing against upcoming opponents Ivory Coast.
The Ivory Coast, who are hosting the AFCON, were quite fortunate to earn a spot in the knockout rounds after a horrible group stage campaign that left them in third spot in their group. However, the Elephants will certainly be encouraged by their hard-fought win over reigning AFCON holders Senegal as they hope to win what would be their first title since 2015. Of note is the fact that they have never lost to Mali, with four wins and a draw from their last five games, and it is safe to say that the Ivory Coast will be using their home pitch advantage to full effect to maintain that unbeaten record against the Eagles and secure a spot in the final four.
Match facts: Mali vs Ivory Coast
- To date, Mali have never lost in the quarter-finals at the AFCON
- However, the Eagles have never beaten the Ivory Coast, with one draw and four losses from their past five meetings.
Team news: Mali vs Ivory Coast
Mali: Both Yves Bissouma and Amadou Haidara may be in doubt for this game due to injury and fitness concerns.
Ivory Coast: Meanwhile, both Ibrahim Sangare and Odilon Kossounou are doubts for this fixture.
Broadcast info: Mali vs Ivory Coast
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Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
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Preview: Cape Verde Islands vs South Africa
How far can Cape Verde go at the 2023 AFCON? Well, the tiny nation have been creating plenty of buzz since this competition kicked off last month. To date, they have never gotten beyond the quarter-finals (back in 2013) and now are theoretically just 90 minutes (or more) away from heading into the semi-finals for the first time in national history.
Impressively, the minnows managed to top a quartet that featured traditional African heavyweights such as Egypt and Ghana, with wins over Ghana and Mozambique, plus a draw with Egypt, enough to earn them seven points and win Group B by a sizeable margin. They did have to work a lot harder than expected to break down a very stubborn Mauritania in the round of 16, with Ryan Mendes's late penalty enough to decide that tie and fire them into their first ever quarter-finals appearance in over a decade.
Standing in their way of making a historic semi-finals appearance, however, is South Africa. Bafana Bafana may not have generated as much buzz during the group stages, but Hugo Broos's team did enough to qualify for the round of 16 as runners-up in Group E. In addition, having seen off Morocco with a solid 2-0 victory in the round of 16, South Africa certainly will be fancying their chances at qualifying for the semi-finals - especially with big teams like Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, and Ghana all already eliminated.
However, South Africa have struggled for results against Cape Verde in recent times, with two losses and a draw from their last three meetings, so it indeed will be quite interesting to see what other surprises Cape Verde will have in store in Saturday's match.
Team news: Cape Verde vs South Africa
Cape Verde: No new injury or suspension concerns.
South Africa: Likewise, South Africa should have a full-strength squad available for this game.
Match facts: Cape Verde vs South Africa
- Cape Verde's record in their last five meetings with South Africa: W2 D1 L2
- South Africa are featuring at their 11th AFCON, while Cape Verde are participating for the 4th time
Broadcast info: Cape Verde vs South Africa
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Match details, result and original broadcast info
Cape Verde Islands 0 - 0P South Africa
February 3, 2024 3:00pmStade Charles Konan Banny de Yamoussoukro (Yamoussoukro)This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
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