After a distinguished quarter-final lineup that featured the top eight-ranked teams on the continent, this year’s AFCON is down to its last four teams: Senegal, Morocco, Nigeria, and Egypt.

The final-eight match-ups saw several France-based players prove instrumental again in their teams advancing, while others saw their campaign come to an end:

Mali 0-1 Senegal

While Tom Saintfiet set up his team in a characteristically defensive formation in their other matches, Mali arguably began their quarter-final on the front foot. Led by the indefatigable Lassine Sinayoko, the Auxerre striker who had scored all three of their goals until then, the Eagles had the better chances in the opening exchanges in Tangier.

Senegal’s Iliman Ndiaye then made the most of a mistake by the otherwise excellent Djigui Diarra, who let a cross slip under his grasp and bobble straight into the path of the Everton man. Yves Bissouma was then sent off, rounding off an underwhelming tournament for the former Lille midfielder, but his team were able to stay within touching distance for the rest of the game. The Malians, including Paris FC fullback Hamari Traoré, Angers defender Ousmane Camara, and soon-to-be Lens midfielder Amadou Haidara, were now accustomed to chasing the game with ten men at this tournament. Ultimately, though, coming back against Senegal would be too tall a task.

As was the case in Senegal’s other matches, Paris Saint-Germain’s Ibrahim Mbaye came off the bench towards the end. There would be no goal contribution this time for the 17-year-old, although he did make some promising runs from the wing which helped relieve some pressure on the Teranga Lions’ defence. The 2021 champions, whose starting eleven includes Moussa Niakhaté of Lyon and Krépin Diatta of Monaco in the backline as well as Metz striker Habib Diallo, remain on track for a blockbuster final in Rabat next week.

Cameroon 0-2 Morocco

Achraf Hakimi and Nayef Aguerd, the Classique rivals back in France, once again started side-by-side in the Morocco defence as the hosts advanced to the last four for the first time since 2004. They were joined by Hamza Igamane in the second half, with the Lille forward making his first appearance at this AFCON after recovering from an adductor injury.

Algeria 0-2 Nigeria

A one-sided affair in Marrakesh saw the Super Eagles create chances throughout the game, with goals from Victor Osimhen and former Montpellier man Akor Adams sealing the win. While Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Alex Iwobi have been the stars of Nigeria’s run so far, Adams has been just as crucial in his workrate and his willingness to act as a foil to the Galatasaray striker up front.

Paris FC’s Moses Simon was brought on in the final twenty minutes and picked up a yellow card in stoppage time. For Algeria, Hicham Boudaoui of Nice was once again the standout performer, but could have little impact on a match on which Nigeria stamped their authority early on. He was replaced by Angers midfielder Himad Abdelli in the second half.

There were some unpleasant scenes at the end of the match, with the Algerian team venting their frustrations at the referee as well as scuffles both on the pitch and in the media mixed zone among journalists. The consensus among both sides, however, was that Nigeria roundly deserved their win after a dominant display.

Egypt 3-2 Ivory Coast

Strasbourg full-back Guéla Doué ended an impressive campaign in Morocco with a goal that reignited the Ivorians’ hopes of qualifying, halving the deficit against Egypt twenty minutes before end. Paris FC striker Jean-Philippe Krasso came off the bench for the final twenty minutes and played a part in Doué’s goal, but was unable to score what would have been his second goal at this AFCON. Nantes forward Mostafa Mohamed came on for Egypt’s first goalscorer Omar Marmoush lin stoppage time.