The Grand Stade d’Agadir will come alive under the floodlights on Saturday night as two titans of African football, Côte d’Ivoire and Egypt, lock horns in a mouth-watering quarter-final of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Morocco 2025.

Defending champions Côte d’Ivoire have advanced with assurance, powered by a strong collective spirit and a clearly defined identity. Egypt, the competition’s record seven-time winners, have taken a more understated route; relying on experience, tactical discipline and an unshakeable composure forged over decades at the highest level.

In an atmosphere expected to crackle with intensity, both sides know that success will hinge on mastering the smallest details. This quarter-final sets the stage for a compelling duel. For Les Éléphants, unity, discipline and an unbroken fighting spirit have been the cornerstones of their journey from the group stages, through the Round of 16, and now into the last eight.

At the heart of their charge stands Amad Diallo. The 23-year-old forward has been nothing short of sensational, delivering authoritative performances each time he has taken the field and emerging as a decisive figure in Côte d’Ivoire’s campaign.

Named Man of the Match in three of the four games played so far, the Manchester United winger has underlined his importance to coach Emerse Faé’s setup.

Speaking exclusively to CAFOnline, Diallo shared the team’s ambitions, their collective hunger and their readiness to rise to the challenge against Egypt, as Côte d’Ivoire chase the ultimate prize — and the rare achievement of back-to-back continental crowns.

CAFOnline.com: How is the team approaching this quarter-final against Egypt?

Amad Diallo : We’re approaching it with a lot of calm and respect for our opponent. Egypt is a great nation in African football, with immense experience in this competition. But we’re confident in our work and in what we’ve been doing since the start of the tournament. We know what we want to achieve on the pitch.

Teamwork has been one of the key factors in Côte d’Ivoire’s run so far. Could you say this is your main weapon?

Yes, clearly. Our greatest strength is our team spirit. Everyone fights for one another, everyone accepts their role. No ego comes before the team. When you play with that mindset, solidarity and intensity, you become a very difficult team to deal with.

Against an Egyptian side known for its solidity and experience, where do you think the match will be decided?

It will be a game of fine margins. We’ll have to stay focused from start to finish. Against a team like Egypt, the smallest mistake can be costly. We’ll need to be tactically disciplined, aggressive in winning the ball back, and above all clinical when chances arise.

On a personal level, what does a match of this magnitude at the Africa Cup of Nations mean to you?

It’s a dream. Playing an AFCON quarter-final against Egypt is something very special. But beyond the emotion, there’s a great sense of responsibility. We want to keep the journey going, make our supporters proud, and go as far as possible in this competition.

A word for the Ivorian fans who have supported you since the start of the tournament?

I want to say thank you. Their support gives us incredible strength, even from afar. We feel their energy in every match. We’ll give everything on the pitch to make them proud and to keep the whole of Côte d’Ivoire buzzing.

(CAFonline)

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