Egypt vs Ivory Coast: Pharaohs and Elephants set for clash of champions in Agadir
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
Historical dominance meets red-hot form in AFCON 2025 last eight
Egypt is the most successful team in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations and came into this competition as the second-favourite to claim their eighth title, only behind Africa’s top-ranked team and tournament hosts Morocco.
The Pharaohs confirmed our AFCON 2025 predictions by topping Group B with two wins and a draw, but their performances were far from convincing, and they are now the biggest outsiders to lift the trophy of the teams remaining in the competition.
Hossam Hassan’s side needed late goals to get past Zimbabwe in their opening match and Benin in the last 16, while they were also a tad fortuitous to defeat South Africa 1-0, owing to a contentious penalty that Mohamed Salah tucked beyond Ronwen Williams.
The Elephants, on the other hand, emerged as winners from what many considered the Group of Death, beating both Mozambique and Gabon, either side of a 1-1 draw against Cameroon. As a result, our experts have refused to write them off in this clash, according to our Egypt vs Ivory Coast prediction.
Emerse Fae’s side produced their best performance of the competition in the Round of 16, smashing three unanswered goals past Burkina Faso. They have now won eight of their last 11 internationals and will be out for revenge here, having lost to this opponent the last time they met in this tournament.
One key factor to consider in this match is that Egypt have been better later in matches, scoring five goals in this competition in the second half or extra time, while the Ivory Coast have found the net first in six of their last eight international matches.
Salah vs Amad: Premier League talent takes centre-stage in Agadir
Mohamed Salah arrived in Morocco last month with one goal: to win the one title that has eluded him in his incredible career - the Africa Cup of Nations. He missed the crucial penalty in the 2021 final that ultimately allowed Senegal to clinch the trophy.
The Liverpool attacker has been the Pharaohs' main man at AFCON 2025, as he currently leads the team with three goals, including the winners against Zimbabwe and South Africa, as well as the safety goal against Benin in the last 16 deep in extra time.
Salah will be joined in attack by fellow Premier League forward Omar Marmoush, who netted the team’s opening goal of the tournament against the Warriors and will be determined to add to his tally after a couple of fairly quiet outings.
For the Ivory Coast, Amad Diallo has been the shining light in his debut AFCON campaign, and is already being talked up as a potential Player of the Tournament, if the Elephants can go all the way and defend their continental title.
The Manchester United man has an assist and scored in all three of his starts in this tournament, while he has also picked up Player of the Match three times. He is the undisputed danger man in the Emerse Fae’s attack, and is expected to have another big outing tonight.
Alongside Diallo, Aston Villa’s Evann Guessand is likely to lead the line, and while he has only recorded one goal so far in the competition, he has been a constant menace to opposing defences with his physicality and willingness to work off the ball.
Given the wealth of talent on display in this match, the popular consensus is that we should be in for an entertaining match with plenty of chances at both ends, and you can follow all the action in real time using our AFCON 2025 livescores.
