The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations reaches its crescendo tonight, Saturday, January 10, 2026, with a quarter-final heavyweight clash at the Stade Adrar in Agadir. The record seven-time champions, Egypt, face the defending champions, Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), in a match many are calling the "Final before the Final."
The winner will secure the last remaining semi-final spot, joining Nigeria, Senegal, and hosts Morocco in the final four.
Match Details: Kick-off & Official Info
Competition: AFCON 2025 (Quarter-Final)
Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026
Kick-off: 19:00 GMT / 20:00 local / 14:00 ET
Venue: Stade Adrar, Agadir, Morocco
Referee: TBD
Broadcast: E4 / Channel 4 (UK), beIN SPORTS (US/MENA), Canal+ Sport (Africa)
The Storyline: Egypt’s Resilience vs. The Ivorian Juggernaut
Egypt: Fighting for History
Hossam Hassan’s Egypt has reached the quarter-finals through sheer grit rather than attacking flair. After a mixed group stage, the Pharaohs endured a grueling 120-minute battle against Benin in the Round of 16, eventually winning 3–1 in extra time. Mohamed Salah, who has three goals in the tournament so far, remains the emotional and tactical heartbeat of the team. However, the Pharaohs are wounded; they must navigate this clash without key left-back Mohamed Hamdy (ACL injury) and potentially without Mahmoud "Trezeguet" Hassan, who is a major doubt.
Cote d’Ivoire: The Champions' Momentum
Emerse Faé has successfully avoided the "reigning champions' curse." The Elephants have been the tournament's most balanced side, culminating in a dominant 3–0 demolition of Burkina Faso in the previous round. The star of their campaign has been Amad Diallo, who has scored in three consecutive starts. With an ultra-physical midfield anchored by Franck Kessié, the Ivorians are looking to become the first team since Egypt (2010) to successfully defend their AFCON crown.
Team News & Probable Lineups
Egypt Team News
Injury Crisis: Mohamed Hamdy is out for the tournament. Trezeguet is highly unlikely to start after an ankle sprain.
Tactical Shift: Egypt is expected to utilize a back three to absorb the Ivorian pressure, relying on Mostafa Mohamed and Salah for counter-attacks.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): El Shenawy; Rabia, Fathy, Ibrahim; Hany, Adel, Attia, Saber, Abou El Fotouh; Salah, Marmoush.
Cote d’Ivoire Team News
Suspension: Christ Inao Oulaï is unavailable after picking up a milestone yellow card. Seko Fofana is expected to return to the starting XI.
Fitness: Odilon Kossounou is a doubt; Ousmane Diomande stands ready to deputize in defense.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Y. Fofana; Konan, Ndicka, Diomande, Doué; Kessié, Sangaré, S. Fofana; Amad, Guessand, Y. Diomande.
Head-to-Head (H2H) & Key Stats
AFCON Record: This is the 12th meeting between the two in AFCON history—an absolute record for a single fixture.
The "Pharaoh Curse": Cote d’Ivoire has not beaten Egypt in normal time at an AFCON since 1990. Egypt knocked them out on penalties in both 2006 (Final) and 2021 (Round of 16).
Defensive Form: Egypt has won their last five AFCON quarter-final ties.
The Amad Factor: Amad Diallo is the first Ivorian since Didier Drogba in 2012 to score 3+ goals at a single AFCON finals.
Tactical Analysis: Experience vs. Energy
Egypt will likely deploy a "low block," inviting Cote d’Ivoire to dominate possession while looking to exploit the space behind the Ivorian full-backs. The battle between Franck Kessié and Egypt's midfield anchors will determine whether the Elephants can find the passing lanes to Amad Diallo. For Egypt, the fitness of their defense will be tested by the physical profile of Evann Guessand, who has been vital in wearing down opponents.
Match Prediction
History favors Egypt, but momentum resides with the Elephants. Egypt’s injuries and the fatigue from their extra-time win over Benin might catch up to them against an Ivorian side that is clinical after the 60th minute.
Final Score Prediction: Egypt 1–2 Cote d’Ivoire
