The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 in Morocco has entered the quarter-final stage, with a clear trend emerging from the tournament’s knockout phase: African coaches are firmly in charge of most of the teams still in contention. As the race for the continental crown intensifies, homegrown tacticians are shaping the direction of Africa’s biggest football competition.
Countries that have so far secured qualification for the quarter-finals include Nigeria, Senegal, Morocco, Mali, Egypt and Cameroon, following hard-fought Round of 16 encounters across host cities in Morocco. The results underline a competitive tournament marked by narrow margins, tactical discipline and decisive moments.
Senegal, coached by Pape Thiaw, continued their impressive run with a composed display that confirmed their status as one of the favourites. Thiaw’s tactical clarity and familiarity with the squad have been widely credited for the Teranga Lions’ consistency at the tournament.
Hosts Morocco, under Walid Regragui, also progressed, much to the delight of home supporters. Regragui, who guided the Atlas Lions to a historic World Cup semi-final in 2022, has once again demonstrated his ability to manage pressure and deliver results on a big stage.
Mali, led by Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet, booked their place in the last eight after a gritty performance that highlighted their defensive organisation and mental resilience. Mali’s progression ensures West Africa remains strongly represented in the latter stages of the competition.
Egypt, managed by legendary former striker Hossam Hassan, edged through a tense Round of 16 tie to keep their title hopes alive. Hassan’s presence on the sidelines has injected belief into the Pharaohs, who are chasing an eighth AFCON title.
Cameroon, coached by David Pagou, also advanced, maintaining their reputation as perennial contenders at the Nations Cup. The Indomitable Lions relied on experience and game management to navigate a difficult knockout fixture.
Nigeria, under Éric Sékou Chelle, delivered one of the most convincing performances of the round, sealing qualification with a commanding win. The Super Eagles’ blend of attacking flair and defensive solidity has positioned them as a serious threat heading into the quarter-finals.
With African coaches leading the majority of the remaining teams, the ongoing AFCON in Morocco is being viewed as a strong endorsement of indigenous technical capacity.
