CAN 2025: A high-powered quarter-final bracket featuring 7 former champions

10.01.26 FT AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations

Algeria

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Nigeria

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For the first time in the history of AFCON, since the tournament expanded to eight teams in 1968, seven previous winners have made it to the quarter-finals.

Morocco (1976), Cameroon (1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, 2017), Algeria (1990, 2019), Senegal (2021), Egypt (1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010), Côte d'Ivoire (1992, 2015, 2023), and Nigeria (1980, 1994, 2013) have all advanced to the quarter-finals with the prestigious status of former champions.

Also read: CAN 2025: It's alreadya ticketing disaster

This is an unprecedented feat that highlights just how fiercely competitive this AFCON has become. Only Mali stands apart. The Eagles, runners-up in 1972, denied history by eliminating 2004 champions Tunisia in a dramatic penalty shootout (1-1, 3-2 on penalties).

It's also worth noting that all six top-seeded teams have secured their place in the quarter-finals.

As a reminder, here is the quarter-final schedule:

Friday, January 9:

4:00 pm GMT: Mali vs Senegal

7:00 pm GMT: Cameroon vs Morocco

Saturday, January 10:

4:00 pm GMT: Algeria vs Nigeria

7:00 pm GMT: Egypt vs Côte d’Ivoire

Imed Ben Amara |

Editorar, fr

Imed Ben Amara - bilingual sports writer and web editor with experience in football content creation. Since 2021, he has contributed to Foot Africa, providing news coverage and analysis.

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AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations