Seven-time champions Egypt and defending title holders Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) collide on Saturday in Agadir in what many call the most played rivalry in AFCON history. This is a classic heavyweight tie: a team built on knockout grit and tradition versus a champion side finding its best rhythm at the right time. The winner heads to a semi-final against Senegal. The stakes could not be higher.

Kick-off time and venue

The quarter-final is set for Stade Adrar in Agadir, Morocco. It’s the late game on the day, and a true primetime slot for the continent.

• Kick-off: 7:00 PM GMT
• Local time (Morocco): 8:00 PM
• East Africa Time (EAT): 10:00 PM

How they got here

Egypt reached the last eight with a 3–1 extra-time win over Benin. They were pushed deep into the night, then found the extra gear when it mattered. That fits their tournament identity: strong late, calm under pressure.

Ivory Coast eased past Burkina Faso 3–0 in the round of 16, their biggest win of AFCON 2025 so far. Goals from Amad Diallo and Yan Diomande set the tone early, and Bazoumana Toure sealed it late. The Elephants look confident and balanced.

• Egypt: unbeaten in their last five matches (four wins, one draw) and a 14-match unbeaten run vs African national teams.
• Ivory Coast: eight wins in their last 11 internationals; into the knockouts in 10 of their last 11 AFCONs.

“Egypt never die in the knockouts—do the Elephants blink again?”

History: AFCON’s most familiar duel

This fixture is AFCON’s most-played. Across all competitions, they’ve met 22 times: Egypt lead 12–7 with three draws. And in AFCON, Egypt have often been the wall Ivory Coast can’t climb. The Pharaohs beat the Elephants on penalties in the 2006 final and again on spot-kicks in the 2021 round of 16 after a 0–0 stalemate. Ivory Coast’s last AFCON win over Egypt dates back to 1990. It’s no wonder some previews called this pairing a “graveyard for Ivorian ambitions.”

Yet this is a new day, and Ivory Coast arrive as the current champions. Emerse Faé’s team looks fresher and more fluid than in the group stage, and they will believe that trend can finally flip this rivalry.

Team news and fitness watch

Egypt have battle scars. Fullback Mohamed Hamdy and midfielder Mohanad Lashin are ruled out for the rest of the tournament. Winger Mahmoud “Trezeguet” Hassan suffered an ankle sprain against Benin; he says he’s doing everything possible to be ready, but he’s widely viewed as a major doubt.

Mohamed Salah remains the key figure. He’s expected to start and could line up either in a two-man front line or as part of a three, with the flexibility to drift inside and decide moments late. Goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and right-back Mohamed Hany have been mainstays. Depth and freshness after 120 minutes versus Benin are real questions for Hossam Hassan’s side.

For Ivory Coast, central defender Odilon Kossounou is a doubt after a late knock against Burkina Faso. Ousmane Diomande is ready to step in alongside Evan Ndicka if needed. Otherwise, Faé has a near full-strength squad and the option to rotate. Amad Diallo’s form is a headline: he has scored in consecutive starts and looks sharp between the lines and on the break.

What the coaches say:

• Hossam Hassan (Egypt): “Cote d’Ivoire are a formidable side with top-class players, but our ambition in this tournament is clear: to win another Africa Cup of Nations.”
• Mahmoud “Trezeguet” Hassan (Egypt): “We will fight to beat Cote d’Ivoire and qualify for the semi-finals… We have players capable of reaching the semi-finals and living up to the hopes of the Egyptian people.”
• Emerse Faé (Ivory Coast): “We have prepared well… analysed the strengths and weaknesses of this Egyptian team and will try to impose our rhythm.”

“Salah vs Ndicka is the chess match—win that channel, win the night.”

Tactics: tempo, transitions and second-half swings

Egypt often grow into games. In this AFCON, most of their goals have come after halftime; they have only one first-half goal (a penalty against South Africa), with five scored in second halves. Expect them to control risk early, then push lines and spaces as legs tire.

Ivory Coast, by contrast, have started well and looked proactive. Faé’s side will try to set an assertive tempo, use width, and bring Diallo’s creativity into the half-spaces. If Kossounou doesn’t make it, the back line still has quality, but Egypt will test any new pairing with Salah’s movement and runs off the shoulder.

• Key battles: Salah vs Ndicka/Kossounou (or Diomande), the midfield press, and set-piece duels where both teams have size.
• Game state: If Egypt keep it level into the last half-hour, their late-game record and mindset become a major factor.

One more stat that matters: Egypt have won their last five AFCON quarter-finals. When the bracket gets tight, the Pharaohs usually find a way.

Big picture: legacy, pressure, and the Senegal carrot

Egypt are chasing an eighth continental crown and trying to end a 16-year wait for the trophy. Cote d’Ivoire want back-to-back titles; only the very best sides manage that. The prize is huge: a semi-final date with Senegal, who advanced after beating Mali.

Neutral odds lean slightly toward the Elephants on form and freshness. Sports Mole tips a 2–1 Ivory Coast win. The Standard (London) edges 1–0 to Ivory Coast, maybe after extra time or penalties. But almost every preview carries the same warning: underestimate Egypt’s pedigree at your peril.

“Form says Ivory Coast, history screams Egypt—flip a coin.”

Verdict

On paper, Ivory Coast have the momentum and the cleaner health report. On history, Egypt own this rivalry and trust the long game. Expect a tight, tactical battle with few clear chances early and rising drama after the hour mark. One moment from a star — a Diallo burst, a Salah finish — could swing it.

Whatever happens, this is elite AFCON theatre: two giants, one ticket to face Senegal, and 90 (or 120) minutes to write the next line in a storied feud.