Key events
Yesterday’s ties saw Nigeria book their spot in the last-eight after their 4-0 rout of Mozambique.
There was tension on the pitch after Victor Osimhen confronted Ademola Lookman for not passing him the ball in the 63rd minute. The Galatasaray striker was on a hat-trick. The pair had to be separated by Mozambique players and Osimhen was booed off the pitch after his substitution. He went straight down the tunnel after the full-time whistle. Lookman downplayed the situation during his post-match media duties, saying: “There are no issues between me and Victor. It’s just football. He is my brother.”
The Super Eagles will play the winner of Algeria v DR Congo in their quarter-final on 10 January.
Egypt needed extra-time to get over the line in their 3-1 win over Benin. Marwan Attia’s fine finish from the edge of the box in the 69th minute but, against the run of play, Benin clawed one back after Junior Olaitan’s deflected cross wrong-footed Mohamed El Shenawy, who could barely push the ball off his line. The rebound found an alert Jodel Dossou who hammered home the loose ball.
Yasser Ibrahim’s looping header was the winner early on in extra-time before Mohamed Salah sped away in the final minute to seal the win with an outside of the boot curling finish. The seven-time champions await the winner of Côte d’Ivoire v Burkina Faso.
Team news
Algeria XI (4-2-3-1): Zidane; Belghali, Mandi, Bensebaini, Ait-Nouri; Boudaoui, Bennacer; Mahrez, Chaibi, Amoura; Maza.
Subs: Mandrea, Benbot, Dorval, Belaid, Atal, Zerrouki, Abdelli, Zorgane, Hadj Moussa, Kebbal, Bounedjah, Bakrar, Boulbina, Berkane.
DR Congo XI (4-3-3): Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, J Kayembe; Sadiki, Moutoussamy, Mukau; Elia, Bakambu, Bongonda.
Subs: Fayulu, Epolo, Kapuadi, Batubinsika, Bushiri, Kalulu, Pickel, E Kayembe, Kakuta, Mbuku, Essende, Mayele, Cipenga, Banza, Balikwisha.
Referee: Mohamed Eid Mansour (Egypt)
Preamble
Hello and welcome to one of the final matches of the 2025 Afcon last-16: Algeria v DR Congo. The north African side will be keen to follow up on their strong group stage showing, where they finished top with three wins.
DR Congo will not be an easy task though; Sébastien Desabre’s side came second in their group, only behind Senegal on goal difference.
Both teams have each won two Afcon trophies – Algeria in 1990 and 2019, DR Congo in 1968 and 1974 – but only one will be contesting for a third after today.
As always, feel free to get in touch via email if you have any thoughts, predictions, questions or musings. Kick-off is at 4pm GMT in Rabat. Team news coming up …
