Christ Inao Oulai has emerged as an important young figure for the Elephants at AFCON 2025. The 19-year-old Trabzonspor midfielder is combining physicality with smart decision-making and composure in possession. His standout moment came when he won Man of the Match in Ivory Coast’s dramatic 3–2 win against Gabon.

For the first time in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations, every semi-finalist in the 2025 edition is being led by an African coach. This unprecedented

Algeria captain, Riyad Mahrez, has tipped Nigeria to go all the way and win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON. Mahrez was unable to help his country

Ndidi will miss Nigeria’s semi-final clash against hosts Morocco regardless, due to suspension after picking up yellow cards in the Round of 16 and quarter-final matches.

The official team lineups are out for Sunday night’s blockbuster AFCON 2025 Round of 16 clash in Rabat as Cameroon & South Africa lock horns with quarter final place on the line. The tie takes place at Al Medina Stadium and kicks off at 19:00 GMT with both sides making decisive selection calls for one of the headline fixtures of the knockout phase.

Nigeria will be secretly gutted they have been denied a chance at revenge against DR Congo, who beat them in November's 2026 World Cup play-off final. Algeria will face Nigeria in a battle of the -geria suffixes in the last eight.

Which players could return to Premier League action for the next matchday, on Jan. 17, after their nations were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations?