Except for Mali, 7 out of 8 AFCON Quarter-Finalists Have Previously Won the Continental Title

Eight teams have secured their spots in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The only exception is the Mali national team, which has never won the title. Had Tunisia not exited the tournament in the Round of 16, all qualified teams would have been former champions. This highlights the strength of historical experience among the qualifiers and adds to the excitement of the upcoming matches.

The quarter-final stage features several former champions, including Egypt, who have won the title a record seven times, Cameroon with five titles, and Nigeria with three. Also among them are Algeria, who have been crowned champions twice, most recently in 2019, and Morocco, who lifted the trophy once in 1976.

Despite never having won the title, the Mali national team has proven its competitiveness and emerged as a significant contender among the giants. They secured their place in the quarter-finals by defeating Tunisia 3-2 in a penalty shootout, following a 1-1 draw after regular and extra time in the Round of 16.

As the quarter-final stage commences, fans anticipate thrilling encounters that will pit experience against ambition, with each team striving to prove themselves and advance towards the prestigious African title.