The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 has reached its thrilling climax, with the final four teams now confirmed after a dramatic set of quarter-finals. The latest episode of the Guardian's Football Weekly podcast convened a panel of experts to dissect the action, with hosts Morocco now looking like the team to beat.
Hosts Morocco and Nigeria's Perfect Run
Morocco cemented their status as tournament favourites with a convincing victory over Cameroon. The panel, featuring Barry Glendenning, Jonathan Wilson, and Osasu Obayiuwana, discussed whether Brahim Díaz's remarkable form for the Atlas Lions is a surprise and analysed how years of strategic investment in football infrastructure have propelled the nation to this point. Their performance is also seen as a crucial marker ahead of co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Meanwhile, Nigeria have maintained a perfect record so far, brushing aside Algeria to book their place in the last four. Their dominant run sets up a heavyweight semi-final clash that promises to be one of the tournament's highlights.
Salah's Quest and Senegal's Midfield Dilemma
In another key fixture, Egypt, led by Mohamed Salah, defeated Côte d'Ivoire. The panel explored whether Salah can cement his place in African football folklore by finally lifting the Afcon trophy with his national team. Their path, however, is fraught with challenge.
They will face Senegal, who squeezed past Mali in a tense encounter. The discussion turned to whether Senegal are overcomplicating their midfield setup, as they prepare to write another chapter in the storied international rivalry between Salah and Sadio Mané.
Wider Tournament Issues and CAF's Future
Beyond the on-pitch drama, the Football Weekly panel took a broader look at significant issues surrounding the competition. This included the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) decision to return the Africa Cup of Nations to a four-year cycle, the ongoing impact of holding the tournament in the European winter, and the state of infrastructure in Morocco as a 2030 World Cup host.
The consensus is that the 2025 edition has delivered high-quality football and compelling narratives, setting the stage for a spectacular finish to one of football's most prestigious tournaments.
