Wednesday's AFCON semi-finals pit four of Africa's most storied footballing nations against each other in what promises to be a compelling double-header. For the neutrals, it's a treat. For the players involved, it's career-defining territory.
Here's everything you need to know before the action gets underway.
Senegal vs Egypt: a final revisited
Kick-off: Wednesday 14 January, 5pm local time (GMT)
Venue: Grand Stade de Tanger
There's history here, and both sides know it. Senegal beat Egypt on penalties in the 2021 final in Cameroon to claim their first-ever AFCON title—a victory that sparked wild celebrations across Dakar. Three years on, the Pharaohs have an opportunity to settle old scores.
Mohamed Salah was in tears after that shootout defeat. Since then, he's carried Egypt through qualification and into these knockouts with the kind of single-minded determination that has defined his career. His goal against Ivory Coast on Saturday—his 11th at AFCON—set a new record for scoring against the most different opponents in the tournament's history. At 33, this might be his best remaining shot at continental glory.
Senegal, meanwhile, arrive having extended their remarkable unbeaten run in regular time to 16 matches. Iliman Ndiaye's first-half strike against a ten-man Mali in the quarter-finals was enough to send them through, though Pape Thiaw's side were far from their fluent best. The return of captain Kalidou Koulibaly from suspension will shore up a defence that has looked porous without him—they conceded just six minutes into the Sudan game in his absence.
The Teranga Lions boast considerable attacking depth. Nicolas Jackson has been working hard up front, while Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr, appearing in his fifth AFCON, provides pace and directness. But the real intrigue lies in whether Senegal can contain Egypt's counter-attacking threat. Hossam Hassan's team have proven lethal on the break: against Ivory Coast, they had just 29% possession but scored three goals.
"Football does not recognise history," Hassan said after the round of 16. "It recognises performance on the pitch." A pragmatic assessment, but one that cuts both ways. Senegal's recent dominance means nothing if Egypt find a way through.
Morocco vs Nigeria: the host against the hottest attack
Kick-off: Wednesday 14 January, 8pm local time (GMT)
Venue: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
Morocco have waited 50 years for this moment. Not literally, of course—they've been in AFCON semi-finals before—but they haven't lifted the trophy since 1976. A nation that reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2022 and has spent years investing in football infrastructure now finds itself three games away from ending that drought on home soil.
Brahim Díaz has been the story of their tournament. The Real Madrid attacker has scored in all five of Morocco's matches—a feat never previously achieved in AFCON history. "He can be the best player in the world," coach Walid Regragui told ESPN after the quarter-final win over Cameroon. The praise is effusive, but watch Díaz play and you understand the logic. He has become omnipresent in Morocco, his face plastered across billboards from Rabat to Casablanca, a symbol of a nation's ambitions.
The concern for Regragui will be whether Díaz, who left the Cameroon game with a strapped thigh, is fully fit for Wednesday. Morocco's 31-match unbeaten run in internationals gives them momentum, but they face a Nigeria side that has been the most devastating attacking force in the tournament.
The Super Eagles have scored 14 goals in five matches. Victor Osimhen, after a turbulent week that saw him argue with Ademola Lookman on the pitch and reportedly clash with team management over unpaid bonuses, delivered emphatically against Algeria. His headed goal broke the deadlock; his unselfish pass set up Akor Adams for the second. "There's no issue. It's just football. He is my brother," Lookman had said after their earlier altercation. The pair's combination play against Algeria suggested that, at least on the pitch, the dust has settled.
Nigerian billionaire Abdulsamad Rabiu has promised the squad $500,000 if they reach the final, plus $50,000 per goal. Material incentives aside, Eric Chelle's team have the quality to trouble anyone. "I'm very happy for the win, for the performance," Osimhen said after dispatching Algeria. "Now we are in the semi-finals. We will go back and prepare and try to qualify for the final."
Key battles to watch
Salah vs Koulibaly: Two of the most decorated African players of their generation. Koulibaly's return from suspension is timely—he'll need every ounce of his experience to deal with Egypt's captain, who has been Egypt's most dangerous player throughout the tournament.
Díaz vs Onyemaechi: Nigeria's left-back Bruno Onyemaechi was superb against Algeria, providing the assist for Osimhen's opener. But Díaz, operating from the right, will test his defensive discipline. If the Real Madrid man is fully fit, this could be a defining duel.
Osimhen vs Moroccan centre-backs: Morocco have conceded just twice in five matches. Nayef Aguerd and Achraf Dari have been solid, but Osimhen's movement and aerial presence pose a different challenge to anything they've faced so far.
The stakes
For Senegal, a second AFCON title in four years would confirm their status as Africa's pre-eminent force. For Egypt, a record-extending eighth crown—their first since 2010—would vindicate years of near-misses and give Salah the continental trophy that has so far eluded him.
Morocco, meanwhile, are chasing history. A first title in 50 years, on home soil, in front of their own fans. The pressure is immense, but so is the opportunity. Nigeria, seeking their fourth AFCON title, have the firepower to spoil the party.
Four giants. Two semi-finals. One final awaits.