The TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 Round of 16 fixtures were concluded on Tuesday, paving the way for thrilling quarterfinal clashes.
The News Agency of Nigeria is reporting that eight teams advanced to the quarterfinals stage of the championship.
The matches played in the Round of 16 were close contests, but the best teams made their way to the quarterfinals.
Angola qualified after battling to a 3-0 win over Namibia on Saturday to meet Nigeria in the quarter final stage.
Nigeria had defeated their counterpart, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, 2-0 on January 27.
The Super Eagles will then have a stern test against two-time quarterfinalists, Angola’s Palancas Negras, in the quarterfinal on Friday at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan at 6pm.
DR Congo secured a slim victory against a gritty Egypt on January 28, winning the game via penalty shootout 8-7 after a dramatic 1-1 draw in regular time.
They are now set to battle Guinea.
Guinea ended the race of Equatorial Guinea on Sunday with a shock 1-0 win to face DR Congo in the quarterfinal stage.
Other intriguing match-ups include Monday’s encounter, which saw a late penalty that sent Cape Verde through 1-0 against Mauritania.
Host Cote d’Ivoire got through to the quarterfinals after an intense penalty shootout (5-4) against defending champions Senegal, after battling out a 1-1-draw in regular time.
Cote d’Ivoire will aim for another upset against Mali.
On Tuesday, in the last Round of 16 tie, Mali bundled out opponents Burkina Faso 2-1 to book a place in the quarterfinal stage to face host Cote d’Ivoire.
South Africa also beat Atlas lions of Morocco 2-0, and will now face the blue sharks of Cape Verde in the quarterfinal stage.
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Following Tuesday night’s last Round of 16 tie matches, the stage is now set for several highly anticipated quarterfinal clashes.
The quarterfinal matches are scheduled to run from February 2 to 3.
Below is the full list of the quarter final fixtures and venues:
Friday
Nigeria vs Angola: Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan by 6pm
DR Congo vs Guinea: Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe by 9pm
Saturday
Mali vs Côte d’Ivoire: Stade de la paix Bouake by 6pm
Cape Verde vs South Africa: Stade Charles Konan Banny de Yamoussoukro) by 9pm.
