Nigeria had an easier task after they swept Mozambique with a clean 4-0 victory, continuing their impressive record in the quarter-finals, which they have reached on 16 occasions, a record. A True Test for the Pharaohs Two of the continent's giants face off in an exciting quarter-final. Egypt, the most decorated team in the tournament's history (seven titles), faces defending champions Ivory Coast in the Pharaohs' first real test, at (20:00 UAE time). Despite being the pre-match favorites, Egypt, led by Mohamed Salah, needed two extra periods to overcome the modest hurdle of Benin 3-1 (1-1 after extra time) in the round of 16, in an unconvincing performance from the Pharaohs. Coach Hossam Hassan promised improved performance in the knockout stages, but Egypt, which has not lost to an African team in 14 matches (12 wins, 2 draws), proved its ability to get results in difficult conditions. With five consecutive quarter-final wins in this tournament, this match could be an opportunity for them to get back into their rhythm. As for the 'Elephants' team, they delivered one of the best performances in the round of 16, thrashing Burkina Faso 3-0 to continue their bid for a second consecutive title and fourth in their history. Today's encounter will be a revenge for Ivory Coast, who have lost their last four matches against Egypt, twice on penalties in the 2006 final in Egypt after beating them in the group stage (3-1), and in the 2022 quarter-final in Cameroon after crushing them 4-1 in the 2008 Ghana semi-final. The 'Desert Foxes' bounced back from the setbacks of the last two tournaments, when they left empty-handed without a single win, and left nothing to chance this time, reaching the quarter-finals thanks to four consecutive wins. Algeria, led by star Riyad Mahrez, had difficulty getting past the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the round of 16, needing a last-gasp goal in the 119th minute to advance, but their level in the tournament contributed to a run of 11 wins in their last 14 international matches (2 draws, 1 loss). Algeria hopes to continue this streak in Marrakech, where they are playing their first match outside Rabat in this edition, a change that might be unfavorable considering the 'Greens' have been eliminated at this stage in four of their last six appearances in the knockout stages. The Nigerian and Ivorian champions stand in Algeria and Egypt's way to the semi-finals of the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The 'Desert Foxes' will look to continue their perfect continental run with a fifth consecutive win and a place in the last four for the second time in the last four editions, but they must overcome the 'Super Eagles', who are also aiming for a second consecutive semi-final with a fifth consecutive win. Algeria face Nigeria today (20:00 UAE time) with the upper hand from the last four meetings. Algerian coach Bosnian-Swiss Vladimir Petkovic said: 'We will prepare in our usual way and we will try to play with the necessary fierceness against teams that are candidates to win like Nigeria'.
