The Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals get underway this afternoon with three of the tournament favourites eyeing for a place in the last four.
Hosts Morocco will face their sternest test of the competition so far as they take on Cameroon, who have already showed their title credentials by holding defending champions Ivory Coast to a 1-1 draw.
Real Madrid midfielder Brahim Diaz will look to continue his stellar form for the Atlas Lions, going into the game as Afcon 2025’s top scorer with four goals, though Cameroon have significant firepower of their own in the form of Manchester United star Bryan Mbeumo.
The mammoth quarter-final clash takes place after Senegal saw off Mali in a 1-0 win, with Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye capitalising on a goalkeeping error to make the difference and set up a tantalising semi-final tie against either Egypt or Ivory Coast.
Follow all the latest updates from the Afcon 2025 quarter-finals:
Read MoreAfcon 2025: How to watch every match for free on TV and online
Afcon 2025: Fixtures, results and quarter-final schedule in full from Africa Cup of Nations
Egypt survive Benin scare to reach Cup of Nations quarter-finals
Afcon 2025 live
- Afcon 2025 enters its quarter-final stage
- Senegal beat Mali in the day's first last-eight tie to set up semi-final clash with Ivory Coast or Egypt
- Host nation Morocco square off with Cameroon in battle of heavyweights | Kick-off 7pm GMT
- Watch all the action live on Channel 4
Morocco's route to this stage
18:30 , Will CastleGroup stage
Morocco 2-0 Comoros | Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, Rabat, Morocco
Morocco 1-1 Mali | Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, Rabat, Morocco
Zambia 0-3 Morocco | Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, Rabat, Morocco
Round of 16
Morocco 1-0 Tanzania | 4:00 PM | Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, Rabat, Morocco
How to watch Afcon 2025 for free
18:25 , Will CastleThe Africa Cup of Nations is hotting up with the knockout stages bringing drama and every game will be available to watch in the United Kingdom across Channel 4.
The broadcaster has secured exclusive rights to the 24-team tournament and will show every game on Channel 4, E4 or 4Seven, or online on Channel 4’s streaming service.
Cameroon v Morocco: Channel 4Seven, or stream online via All4
Team news
18:19 , Will CastleCameroon XI: Epassy; Malone, Kotto, Totlo; Tchamadeu, Ebong, Baleba, Namoso, Nagida; Mbeumo, Kofane.
Morocco XI: Bono; Hakimi, Aguerd, Masina, Mazraoui; El Khannouss, El Ayaouni, Sailbari; Diaz, El Kaabi, Ezzalzouli.
𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘-𝗨𝗣𝗦 📋
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 9, 2026
How Cameroon and Morocco will take the field tonight. 🇨🇲🇲🇦#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/RYSk7cKnYJ
Up next: Cameroon vs Morocco
18:17 , Will CastleSenegal are into the last four - but tonight’s Afcon action is only just getting started.
In the main event of the evening, hosts Morocco will face their sternest test of the competition so far as they take on Cameroon.
An African heavyweight is about to see to see its Afcon come to a crushing end.
Senegal see off Mali to seal place in Afcon semi-finals
18:14 , Will Castle FULL-TIME! Mali 0-1 Senegal
18:05 , Will CastleIt’s all over in Tangiers!
Senegal have sealed their place in the last four of Afcon 2025.
Iliman Ndiaye’s strike proved the difference, who capitalised on a spill from Mali’s goalkeeper to score one of the easiest goals of his life in the first half.
The Teranga Lions were further helped by the sending off of Yves Bissouma, giving them a numbers advantage for the entirety of the second half.
And while they were unable to add to their tally, missing a number of good chances to put the game to bed, Senegal held their nerve to see off their opponents and go one step closer to that elusive African crown.
A tantalising meeting with either Egypt or Ivory Coast awaits in the semi-final for the Teranga Lions. Colossal.
Mali 0-1 Senegal
18:02 , Will Castle90+7 mins: Another great counter attack opportunity squandered by Senegal, there. A couple good touches and this would be over.
Mali 0-1 Senegal
18:01 , Will Castle90+6 mins: Diarra called into action to deny Mane once more with Senegal looking the more likely to score in these dying stages.
Mali have a free-kick just inside the Senegal half, though. This may well be last chance saloon.
Mali 0-1 Senegal
17:58 , Will Castle90+2 mins: SAVE! That was miraculous from Diarra!
Senegal looked to have messed up a great opportunity to put this to bed as they failed to capitalise on a numbers advantage on the counter.
But as the ball comes back to Camara, he lets fly on the volley and forces a stunning save from Diarra, parrying onto the post to keep his country in it.
Mali 0-1 Senegal
17:56 , Will Castle90+1 mins: After what has been a very stop-start second half, Mali have been awarded SEVEN minutes of stoppage time to keep their Afcon campaign alive.
Mali 0-1 Senegal
17:50 , Will Castle84 mins: Nervy times for Senegal, who despite dominating much of this game now need to hold on for the next few minutes to ensure their place in the Afcon semi-finals.
You can tell the fans are feeling the pressure - as Mali look to deliver from a deep free-kick, lasers bounce off the face of the taker. Not what you want to see.
Mali 0-1 Senegal
17:42 , Will Castle76 mins: CHANCE! It should’ve been put to bed!
Ciss pounces on a loose pass in front of Diaby and has only the goalkeeper to beat, but his finish doesn’t have the power or precision to beat Diarra.
The Mali keeper didn’t start this game well and was at fault for Senegal’s goal - but he hasn’t half kept his side in it.
Mali 0-1 Senegal
17:34 , Will Castle67 mins: Mali enjoyed a good few minutes where they looked like they might have Senegal on the ropes, saved only by their goalkeeper.
But now, it seems like Senegal have woken up.
Mane nearly produced a bit of individual brilliance as he cut inside and fired from range towards the top corner, denied by Diarra.
The Mali stopper then outdid himself from the resulting corner, getting down to his right to save Ciss’ header.
Mali 0-1 Senegal
17:24 , Will Castle56 mins: CHANCE! Senegal fall asleep at the back post and are grateful to their goalkeeper Mendy, who produces a big save to maintain their lead.
Proof if needed that despite the odds, a one-goal deficit is very much salvageable.
Mali 0-1 Senegal
17:14 , Will Castle49 mins: Both goalkeepers in action during the early stages.
Mendy nearly gets in a muddle with a Mali attacker bearing down on him, but he manages to hold onto the ball.
Then up the other end, Gueye shoots from distance and forces a good stop out of Diarra.
BACK UNDERWAY! Mali 0-1 Senegal
17:13 , Will CastleWe’re off again in Tangier.
A goal down and a man down, Mali need a small miracle to win this.
Still to come
17:00 , Will CastleAfcon hosts Morocco will face their sternest test of the competition so far tonight as they take on five-time champions Cameroon, who have already showed their title credentials this year by holding defending champions Ivory Coast to a 1-1 draw.
Real Madrid midfielder Brahim Diaz will look to continue his stellar form for the Atlas Lions, going into the game as Afcon 2025’s top scorer with four goals, though Cameroon have significant firepower of their own in the form of Manchester United star Bryan Mbeumo.
The mammoth quarter-final clash will take place after Senegal‘s meeting with Mali, with kick-off at 7pm GMT.
All things going Senegal's way against Mali
16:58 , Will Castle HALF-TIME! Mali 0-1 Senegal
16:55 , Will CastleThat’ll be all for the first half in Tangier, and Senegal are in complete control.
They went a goal up through Iliman Ndiaye, who capitalised on a spill from Mali’s goalkeeper to score one of the easiest goals of his life.
And they enter the break a man up, with Tottenham’s Yves Bissouma shown a second yellow in first-half stoppage time.
Everything going in the Teranga Lions’ favour.
RED CARD! Mali 0-1 Senegal
16:50 , Will Castle45+3 mins: Disaster for Mali!
Yves Bissouma was already in the book and suspended to miss the semi-finals as a result - but the Mali captain has now been shown red!
A second yellow for a rash challenge - or potentially the dissent that followed - sees the Spurs man trudge down the tunnel in first-half stoppage time.
Mali 0-1 Senegal
16:48 , Will Castle45+1 mins: OFF THE BAR! Diouf comes so close to a second for Senegal as he breaks into the box, but Diarra pulls off a stunning save to deny the West Ham left-back as he palms onto the woodwork.
Mali 0-1 Senegal
16:40 , Will Castle40 mins: Clumsy again from the Mali goalkeeper in dealing with Mane’s free-kick - punching into the ground instead of away - but this, time his error doesn’t lead to a Senegal goal.
Mali 0-1 Senegal
16:40 , Will CastleSenegal have found their rhythm and this is really now pressure on for Mali.
Mali 0-1 Senegal
16:35 , Will Castle32 mins: CLOSE! Very nearly a second for Senegal as Papa Gueye fires just wide from outside the box.
That may have already been curtains for Mali had that crept inside the post.
GOAL! Mali 0-1 Senegal (Ndiaye, 28')
16:29 , Will CastleOut of almost nothing, Senegal take the lead!
It’s an absolute nightmare for Mali keeper Diarra, who spills Diatta’s low cross and gives Everton’s Ndiaye one of the easiest goals he’ll ever score, prodding home from short range.
Mali have been decent so far against one of the tournament favourites. To go behind like that will sting.
Mali 0-0 Senegal
16:27 , Will Castle23 mins: Now that is a blow for Mali.
It’s Bissouma with a silly challenge on Mane to end up in the book, and that yellow card means Mali will be without their captain for the next match, should they progress to the last four.
A semi-final tie against record-winners Egypt or reigning champions Ivory Coast awaits Mali if they overcome Senegal today. Bissouma will only be able to watch on.
Mali 0-0 Senegal
16:18 , Will Castle15 mins: Senegal growing in confidence as they take more of a control over this game.
They’ll nevertheless need to stay wary, however, with Mali already cultivating a giant killer reputation at this year’s Afcon.
They frustrated hosts Morocco to a 1-1 draw in the group stage before knocking out World Cup-bound Tunisia out on penalties in the round of 16.
Mali 0-0 Senegal
16:07 , Will Castle4 mins: Early penalty shout for Mali as Koulibaly dives in with a rash challenge on Sinayoko just inside the box.
The former Chelsea man gets nowhere near the ball and seems to nick the Mali man before he goes down.
However, the referee waves away the appeals and replays show that the contact was rather minimal, meaning VAR does not intervene.
A positive start from Mali, this.
KICK-OFF! Mali 0-0 Senegal
16:01 , Will CastleWe are underway in the first quarter-final of the day!
Senegal's route to this stage
16:10 , Will CastleGroup stage
Senegal 3-0 Botswana | Stade Ibn-Batouta, Tangier, Morocco
Senegal 1-1 Congo DR | Stade Ibn-Batouta, Tangier, Morocco
Benin 0-3 Senegal | 7:00 PM | Stade Ibn-Batouta, Tangier, Morocco
Round of 16
Senegal 3-1 Sudan | 4:00 PM | Stade Ibn-Batouta, Tangier, Morocco
Mali's route to this stage
16:15 , Will CastleGroup stage
Mali 1-1 Zambia | Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca, Morocco
Morocco 1-1 Mali | Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, Rabat, Morocco
Comoros 0-0 Mali | Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca, Morocco
Round of 16
Mali 1-1 Tunisia - Mali won 3-2 on penalties | 7:00 PM | Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca, Morocco
First up: Mali v Senegal
16:13 , Will CastleFirst on the docket for today’s Afcon quarter-final action is tournament heavyweights Senegal taking on Mali.
Senegal are among the favourites to lift the fabled trophy this year, powered by the likes of ex-Liverpool standout Sadio Mane and Everton star Iliman Ndiaye.
Mali boast their own strengths, though, with Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma among their more notable players.
Kick-off is just moments away in Tangier - here is the team news:
𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘-𝗨𝗣𝗦 📋
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 9, 2026
Mali and Senegal name their starting XIs. 🇲🇱🇸🇳#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/Fy0K1PbmMX
Key Afcon dates
16:08 , Will CastleThe knockout stages started on Saturday 3 January.
The final will be played on Sunday 18 January at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
How to watch Afcon 2025 for free
15:54 , Will CastleThe Africa Cup of Nations is hotting up with the knockout stages bringing drama and every game will be available to watch in the United Kingdom across Channel 4.
The broadcaster has secured exclusive rights to the 24-team tournament and will show every game on Channel 4, E4 or 4Seven, or online on Channel 4’s streaming service.
Mali v Senegal: Channel 4Seven, or stream online via All4
Cameroon v Morocco: Channel 4Seven, or stream online via All4
Today's order of play
15:52 , Will CastleHere are the Afcon quarter-final ties lined up for today:
Mali v Senegal | 4:00 PM | Stade Ibn-Batouta, Tangier, Morocco
Cameroon v Morocco | 7:00 PM | Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, Rabat, Morocco
Good afternoon
15:49 , Will CastleHello there and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the first two quarter-finals of Afcon 2025.
We’ll have all the action from Mali v Senegal and later Morocco v Cameroon, right here!
