A powerful line-up for Friday and Saturday’s fixtures makes this among the best quarter-final line-ups seen for many editions, and there are a bevy of key players to look out for in the four games.
These are five players who could make an impact:
Ibrahim Mbaye
The 17-year-old became the second youngest scorer in Cup of Nations history with his goal against Sudan in the last 16 and has been a revelation as an impact player at the tournament, coming on in the second half of all Senegal’s matches in Morocco and creating a real stir with his pace and power. He will likely be an impact player again off the bench for Friday’s quarter-final against Mali.
Hamza Igamane
Originally put on standby by hosts Morocco for the tournament, but given a squad number, the attacker from Nice is now fit and ready to play. He could be the inspiration that the home team is looking for in their game against Cameroon in Rabat on Friday, needing someone else besides Brahim Diaz to drive them against a tough and physical opponent.
Amad Diallo
Scoring a goal and providing an assist against Burkina Faso (3-0) last Tuesday, the 23-year-old was instrumental in Ivory Coast's qualification for the quarter-finals, where they meet Egypt on Saturday. The Manchester United winger was named man of the match for that game, his third such award after his performances against Mozambique (1-0) and Cameroon (1-1) in the group stage.
Ibrahim Maza
The diminutive German-born attacker has quickly forged a place for himself in Algeria’s starting line-up with his desire to continually drive forward with the ball. At the age of 20, he could yet develop into a major star for the North Africans, who have depended much on the ageing Riyad Mahrez over the years but now need a new figure of inspiration.
Ademola Lookman
The African Footballer of the Year from two years ago needs no introduction, but at this tournament, he has been in even better form than before with three goals and four assists so far. There are going to be a few candidates for the best player of the tournament, but if Nigeria get past Algeria on Saturday and go onto the final, then the 28-year-old Italian-based winger would have a strong claim.