AGADIR/FES – The giants of African football flexed their muscles on Monday as Egypt and Nigeria booked their places in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

While the Super Eagles soared through with clinical ease in Fes, the record seven-time champions Egypt were forced to endure a gruelling 120-minute marathon in Agadir to overcome a spirited Benin side.#

In Agadir, Egypt narrowly avoided a historic upset against a Benin team that refused to follow the script. Despite dominating possession, the Pharaohs found the Cheetahs’ defense a stubborn nut to crack. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 69th minute when Marwan Attia unleashed a stunning 30-yard strike that left goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou helpless.

However, the Agadir crowd was silenced in the 83rd minute. Benin, appearing in their first knockout game in years, found an equalizer through Jodel Dossou, who pounced on a rebound to force the match into extra time.

Egypt regained their composure in the additional period. In the 97th minute, Yasser Ibrahim rose highest to meet an Attia cross, looping a header into the top corner. With Benin throwing everyone forward in the dying seconds, Mohamed Salah provided the definitive blow. Sprinting clear on a counter-attack, the Liverpool star calmly slotted home his third goal of the tournament with the final kick of the game, sealing a 3-1 win.

“There are no easy teams left,” Egypt coach Hossam Hassan remarked post-match. “Benin fought with incredible solidarity, but our experience was the linchpin of this victory.”

While Egypt laboured, Nigeria produced a statement of intent at the Fez Stadium, dismantling Mozambique 4-0. The “Mambas,” making their first-ever appearance in an AFCON knockout round, were simply no match for the offensive duo of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.

Lookman, who was named Player of the Match, opened the scoring in the 20th minute after a clever setup by Akor Adams. Five minutes later, Osimhen doubled the lead, benefiting from another Adams assist that took a wicked deflection.

The second half was a mere formality. Lookman turned provider for Osimhen’s second of the night in the 47th minute before Akor Adams capped an outstanding individual performance with a powerful 15-meter strike to make it four. Nigeria has now scored 12 goals in four matches, the highest tally in the competition so far.

The results set up a mouth-watering schedule for the next round. Egypt will remain in Agadir to face either defending champions Ivory Coast or Burkina Faso on Saturday. Meanwhile, Nigeria travels to Marrakesh to await the winner of Tuesday’s clash between Algeria and DR Congo.

With the continent’s heavyweights beginning to find their stride, the 2025 AFCON is rapidly approaching a thrilling crescendo in Morocco.

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