The last four line-up will be completed at the Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday night, with another quarter-final double header in Cote d’Ivoire.
It’s another step on the road to redemption for the host nation, as the Ivorians face a tough examination against Mali.
Then it’s the turn of Cape Verde and South Africa, with Bafana Bafana having stunned Morocco in the first knockout round to reach the last eight.
Afcon quarter-final predictions and fixtures for 3 February
*All kick off times are in Central Africa Time.
Mali vs Cote d’Ivoire – 19.00
Mali and host nation Cote d’Ivoire face off on Saturday evening in the third quarter-final at the delayed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Elephants completed a sensational Afcon turnaround when they came from behind to dispatch reigning champions Senegal in a penalty shootout on Monday.
Franck Kessie not only scored the winning spot kick, but had already dragged his side into extra time with an 86th-minute conversion from 12 yards in regulation time.
The men in orange really do like to live on the edge.
A place in the knockouts was only assured at the last moment thanks to results elsewhere, thanks in no small part to a crushing 4-0 defeat for the hosts at the hands of Equatorial Guinea in the group stage.
They came through despite finishing third and with just three points to their name.
Mali survived a late scare in beating Burkina Faso 2-1 to secure their progress from the Round of 16, with a goal disallowed for the Burkinabe as the clock ticked down.
Lassine Sinayoko had earlier doubled the advantage following Edmond Tapsoba’s early own goal, only for them to be left clinging on after Bertrand Traore’s 57th-minute penalty.
They reached the knockouts as winners of Group E despite only collecting five points.
An opening win over South Africa put them on the front foot, though, meaning draws against Tunisia and Namibia saw them coast through.
Cape Verde vs South Africa – 22.00
A fascinating contest between Cape Verde and South Africa brings the quarter-final stage at the Africa Cup of Nations to a climax on Saturday night in Cote d’Ivoire.
Both nations have defied the odds so far to give themselves a great chance of a run at the Afcon crown.
Bafana Bafana produced the second half goods in the Round of 16, shocking 2022 Fifa World Cup semi-finalists Morocco on Tuesday evening.
Evidence Makgopa opened the scoring before Achraf Hakimi’s late penalty miss gave Teboho Mokoena the chance to seal the deal at the other end, curling in a beauty of a free kick in added time for a 2-0 victory.
The 1996 champions earned their date with the Atlas Lions largely by virtue of a thumping 4-0 win over neighbours Namibia in the second round of group action.
It was a recovery from their opening loss to Mali, meaning a goalless draw with toothless Tunisia was enough to take them through.
The fairytale continued for Cape Verde on Monday night, as this Afcon edition continued its theme of producing late drama.
Ryan Mendes was the hero on this occasion, firing his penalty kick into the middle of the net on 88 minutes, after dogged opponents Mauritania suffered a defensive brain fade at just the wrong moment.
It was the only goal of a tense Round of 16 match, securing only a second quarter-final appearance for the Blue Sharks.
They had earlier breezed through a tricky looking pool to reach the knockouts.
Two wins and a draw saw them top the Group B standings ahead of Egypt, Ghana and Mozambique, with thoughts now turning towards the biggest prize on the continent.
All latest Afcon predictions
Mali v Côte d’Ivoire
| Result prediction | Mali to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Mali / Mali to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | L. Sinayoko(Mali) |
Cape Verde Islands v South Africa
| Result prediction | Cape Verde Islands to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Cape Verde Islands to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |