African heavyweights Egypt, with seven AFCON titles, and Cote d’Ivoire, with three titles, meet on Saturday in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) as both sides chase a place in the last four of the continental showpiece.
Egypt booked their spot in the quarter-finals with a 3-1 extra-time victory over Benin in the round of 16 on Monday, while reigning champions Cote d’Ivoire eased past Burkina Faso 3-0 a day later.
Saturday’s match will be the 12th meeting between the two nations at the Africa Cup of Nations, making it the most frequently played fixture in the tournament’s history.
One of the most memorable encounters came in the 2006 final on Egyptian soil, when the Pharaohs claimed their fifth AFCON title by beating Cote d’Ivoire 4-2 on penalties.
Their first AFCON meeting dates back to 16 February 1970, when Egypt won 3-1 in the third-place playoff.
The rivalry also carries personal history, with Egypt coach Hossam Hassan and his Ivorian counterpart Emerse Fae having faced each other as players during the 2006 tournament. That year, the Pharaohs won their fifth AFCON title, with Hassan as skipper, after beating Cote d’Ivoire 4-2 on penalties in the final.
Their most recent AFCON clash came in the round of 16 at the 2021 finals in Cameroon, when Egypt edged Cote d’Ivoire 5-4 on penalties.
Overall, the sides have met 22 times in all competitions, with Egypt winning 12 matches to Cote d’Ivoire’s seven, alongside three draws.
Despite missing several key players, Egypt coach Hassan, 59, struck a confident note ahead of the quarter-final.
“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,” Hassan said at a press conference.
Fullback Mohamed Hamdy and midfielder Mohanad Lashin have been ruled out of the rest of the tournament through injuries, while winger Mahmoud “Trezeguet” Hassan sustained an ankle sprain in the win over Benin.
The 31-year-old said he was doing everything possible to be ready, although the Al Ahly winger is likely to miss the match.
“We will fight to beat Cote d’Ivoire and qualify for the semi-finals,” Trezeguet said. “We have players capable of reaching the semi-finals and living up to the hopes of the Egyptian people.”
Cote d’Ivoire coach Fae said his side would look to dictate the tempo against the seven-time champions.
“We have prepared well for Saturday’s match, analysed the strengths and weaknesses of this Egyptian team and will try to impose our rhythm,” he said.
The winner will face Senegal in the semi-finals on Wednesday after the Teranga Lions advanced following a victory over Mali.
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