The semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations have drawn a geographical line in the sand, setting up two blockbuster semi-final clashes between the powerhouses of North and West Africa.
Host nation Morocco delivered an emphatic 2-0 victory over Cameroon in Rabat, while Egypt triumphed in a five-goal thriller to dethrone champions Côte d’Ivoire 3-2 in Agadir.
With Cameroon (of Central Africa) and Mali (of West Africa) eliminated, Morocco and Egypt have progressed to represent North Africa in the last four.
The two northern giants will be opposed by West Africa’s contenders. Senegal was the first to qualify, showing resilience in a gritty 1-0 win over Mali.
They were later joined by Nigeria, who overpowered Algeria 2-0 in Marrakech. Note: Algeria failed to record a single shot on target in the encounter.
The stage is now set: Morocco vs. Nigeria at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, and Egypt vs. Senegal at the Grand Stade de Tanger.
While the primary storyline is the regional showdown, the Egypt-Senegal match brings a compelling reunion: it features a duel between two icons who defined an era at my beloved Liverpool Football Club, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané.
Their paths have crossed several times, both as teammates and as rivals.
On Wednesday in Tangier, they meet again, this time as the leaders of their national teams.
Salah, having scored four goals in four appearances in the tournament, will aim to guide Egypt to an eighth AFCON title.
Mané, the heartbeat of the Senegalese team, seeks to drive his team one step closer to retaining its crown. Their individual contest adds verve to an already high-stakes semi-final.
*Tactical Battles and Regional Dreams
The contrasts are clear. The host nation, Morocco, will rely on their structured, possession-based game and the creative sparks of players like the tournament’s current highest goalscorer, Brahim Díaz, to break down a formidable Nigerian side parading frightening attacking talents like Victor Osimhen, Akor Adams, and Ademola Lookman, a resurgent Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka and Wilfred Ndidi in midfield, plus a defence marshaled by Calvin Bassey.
The Rabat crowd, however, will be a 12th man for the Atlas Lions.
In Tangier, the clash is equally exciting. Egypt, with Mo Salah and Omar Marmoush as their focal point, will look to be compact and lethal on the break.
They face a Senegalese unit that is disciplined at the back, powerful in midfield, and always a threat through Sadio Mané, Nicolas Jackson and Ismaila Sarr.
More than just a place in the January 18th final is at stake. These matches are about regional bragging rights. North Africa and West Africa are at war on a football pitch. May the best region win!
