AFCON 2023: Predicting All Four Quarter-Final Games, Nigeria and Ivory Coast Win

• The 2023 AFCON quarter-final fixtures are all set
• All four games will be played on Friday and Saturday
• Nigeria have been tipped to win their fourth AFCON title

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is headed to the quarter-finals after weeks of thrilling matches full of drama and emotion.

In the next few days, eight teams will be locked in fierce battles, looking for a spot in the semi-final of the biggest sporting event in Africa.

Accurately predicting the outcome of every match is difficult because of the upsets we've already witnessed in Ivory Coast so far.

Nigeria, Angola, South Africa, Cape Verde, Mali, Guinea, Ivory Coast, and DR Congo will be in action in the next few days, and the stakes couldn't be higher.

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Among the remaining eight teams, only four have lifted the tournament before. West African giants Nigeria and Ivory Coast are the only teams to lift the trophy in the 21st century.

Nigeria are favourites to win the 2023 AFCON, but they must first go through Angola. Sports Brief has attempted to predict all the games.

2023 AFCON quarter-final predictions

Nigeria vs Angola - February 2

The Super Eagles have the best defence at the 2023 AFCON, while Angola have the best attack. The West Africans have the better squad on paper, but they are yet to click. African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, has scored once but has been instrumental in all of Nigeria's campaign.

Angola's Mabululu and Gelson Dala have scored a combined seven goals so far and will test the astute Nigerian defence. In their opening game, Angola held a star-studded Algeria to a 1-1 draw, meaning they are not afraid of the big boys.

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The Angola vs Nigeria World Cup qualifier in 1989 remains one of the darkest moments in Nigerian football history. Midfielder Samuel Okwaraji passed away after collapsing on the field during the match, per Afrik Foot. The Angolans denied Nigeria a place in the 2006 World Cup.

Nevertheless, the three-time AFCON winners have already beaten giants Ivory Coast and Cameroon in the tournament and will probably have too much for the South African side.

Prediction: Nigeria wins 1-0

DR Congo vs Guinea, February 2

The Democratic Republic of Congo drew all their games in Group F and their Round of 16 clash with Egypt. The Leopards have kept one clean sheet but have scored in all but one game.

Meanwhile, Guinea have only lost to Senegal in the tournament. In the Round of 16, they struggled to score against a 10-man Equatorial Guinea side. Mohamed Bayo scored a last-gasp winner to send them through. Their star man, Serhou Guirassy, is still finding his feet in Ivory Coast, but he needs to rise to the occasion against DR Congo.

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Guinea last beat the two-time AFCON champions in 2004. This game will likely end in a draw.

Prediction: DR Congo to win on penalties.

South Africa vs Cape Verde - February 3

Bafana Bafana took down favourites Morocco in the Round of 16 with an excellent performance, per CAF. Following their win over the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists, the 1996 champions moved up the power rankings and are serious contenders for the title.

Cape Verde are also putting up a show in Ivory Coast. They have bossed nearly every game and are unbeaten.

South Africa prefers to play a counter-attacking game, while Cape Verde employed a pressing game in most games.

Furthermore, these two sides have played the best football in the tournament, and their encounter will be exciting and intriguing. South Africa last beat the Blue Sharks in 2005.

Predictions: South Africa to win 1-0

Ivory Coast vs Mali - February 3

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The Elephants were given a chance to redeem themselves following an awful group stage showing. They beat defending champions Senegal under caretaker coach Emerse Fae, but are facing an even tougher task against Mali.

Mali are having a phenomenal campaign. The Eagles dominated the Round of 16 clash against neighbours Burkina Faso, and Ivory Coast will be up against it.

However, beating the favourites and defending champions is an incredible achievement for Ivory Coast, considering their forgettable performances in the group stage. The Elephants beat Mali in the 2019 AFCON.

Prediction: Ivory Coast to win on penalties

Nigeria named AFCON favourites

With Senegal and Morocco knocked out of the continental competition, the Opta supercomputer has provided the new favourite to claim the top honours.

2013 AFCON champions, Nigeria are now AFCON 2023 favourites with a 28.8% chance. Jose Peseiro's team are having a good outing in Ivory Coast.

They could face Cape Verde or South Africa if they go through, as Sports Brief reported earlier, with Mali given a 14.7% chance to claim a first title.