North Africa and West Africa will clash head-on in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals after Egypt and Nigeria emerged victorious from Saturday’s quarter-finals, ending the hopes of defending champions Ivory Coast and former winners Algeria.

At the Grand Stade in Agadir, Egypt produced a ruthless opening spell to stun Ivory Coast and take early control of the contest.

The Pharaohs needed just five minutes to strike, with Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush curling home from the edge of the area to put Egypt ahead.

Ivory Coast were still reorganising when Egypt struck again.

In the 32nd minute, UAE's Al Ain  centre-back Rami Rabia powered in a header from a corner to make it 2–0, leaving the holders chasing the game far earlier than they hadv planned.

The Ivorians finally found a lifeline in the 40th minute, when a dangerous cross was deflected into his own net by Zamakek's Ahmed Fotouh, reducing the deficit to 2–1 and briefly swinging momentum before the break.

Any hopes of a full Ivorian comeback were dented just seven minutes into the second half.

Captain Mohamed Salah latched onto a through ball in the 52nd minute and finished calmly to restore Egypt’s two-goal cushion.

Ivory Coast refused to surrender their crown quietly.

Strsbourg's defender Guéla Doué headed in from close range in the 73rd minute, setting up a tense final stretch

But Egypt’s experience told as they slowed the game, defended deep and saw out the win to book a semi-final date with Senegal — a classic North Africa vs West Africa showdown.

Earlier in Marrakech, Nigeria underlined West Africa’s strength with a composed 2–0 victory over Algeria, a match that turned decisively in the second half.

After a cagey opening period, the Super Eagles struck in the 47th minute, when Gakatasaray's Victor Osimhen rose above the Algerian defence to head in a cross from the left and break the deadlock.

Algeria pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but that ambition left gaps at the back.

Nigeria exploited one in the 57th minute, with Osimhen turning provider this time, slipping the ball to Sevilla's Akor Adams, who rounded the goalkeeper and slotted home to double the lead.

From there, Nigeria managed the game with authority, shutting down Algeria’s midfield and limiting clear chances as the clock ran down.

The results mean the AFCON semi-finals on January 14  will be shaped by continental rivalry as much as form:
Egypt vs Senegal and Nigeria vs Morocco — North Africa against West Africa, twice over, with a place in the final at stake.