African Nations Cups: Quarterfinals Set to Take Competition to Next Level

The shock of the first round saw Senegal knocked out with three straight 1-2 defeats.

Newcastle United fans will be hoping their pair of Senegal strikers in Demba Ba and new addition Demba Cisse will fire a little better once they return to England.

Other than that, the major powers of Ghana and the Ivory Coast made it through while Zambia and one of the host nations, Gabon, took the other groups.

Second-place nations—Mali, Tunisia, Sudan—and second host nation, Equitorial Guinea, will each be paired with a group winner in this weekend's quarterfinal matchups.  We are sure to see the excitement and the drama taken to a higher level as the best nations of Africa fight for their continental bragging rights.

Zambia vs Sudan

Time: Saturday February 4, 2012 @ 11:00AM EST

Group A winner Zambia plays host to Sudan in this first quarterfinal match.

Zambia took seven points in their three matches against Senegal, Libya and host nation Equitorial Guinea and will look to continue their run towards the final.

Leading scorers for the Zambians with two goals apiece were Christopher Katongo and Emmanuel Mayuka from FC Xhanti and BSC Young Boys.

Sudan comes in thanks to goal differential over Angola after only claiming four points from Group B which was dominated by the Ivory Coast.

It looks to be all Zambia in this match but the beauty of the AFC is the upsets.

Match Prediction: Zambia 2 - 1 Sudan

Ivory Coast vs Equatorial Guinea

Time: Saturday February 4, 2012 @ 4:00PM EST

The Ivory Coast Elephants stormed through the first round with an undefeated group stage with nine points taken from games against the Sudan, Angola and Burkina Faso without allowing a goal.

With a star-studded roster that includes Newcastle United's Cheik Tiote, Manchester City brothers Yaya and Kolo Toure, Chelsea's Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba, former Arsenal Gunner Emmanuel Eboué from Galatasaray and current Gunner Gervinho, Trabzonspor's Didier Zokora, 24-year-old CSKA Moscow striker and Russian Premier League Golden Boot-winner Seydou Doumbia, the Ivory Coast should dominate.

Host nation Equatorial Guinea are the minnows of this match and despite great support as the local side, they are more than likely set to take their leave.

Match Prediction: Ivory Coast 3 - 0 Equatorial Guinea

Gabon vs Mali

Time: Sunday February 5, 2012 @ 11:00AM EST

Gabon is the only other nation to sweep their group as they went undefeated in Group C to set up a match up with Group D runners-up Mali.

Gabon's attack is led by St. Etieene striker Pierre Aubameyang who scored three goals in the group stage and looks to keep up his prolific start to the tournament.

Mali has veteran experience of Barcelona's Seydou Keita in midfield with French side AS Nancy striker Bakaye Traore and Levski Sofia's Garra Dembele upfront. All three are solo goal scorers for their nation so far.

Gabon is the favorite, but Mali has them on upset alert. This will be one of the best matches of the AFC Quarterfinals.

Match Prediction: Gabon 1 - 2 Mali

Ghana vs Tunisia

Time: Sunday February 5, 2012 @ 4:00 PM EST

The Ghana Black Stars will look to overtake a strong Tunisia side when they play in the fourth and final quarterfinal match of the African Cup of Nations on Sunday.

The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia have the ability to be extremely dangerous. They could find a way to manufacture an upset as only Gabon could best them in the group stages.

Youssef Msakni is their most potent attacker. He fired two goals in the open rounds with one in each of his first two games. The Espérance Sportive de Tunis striker will hope to be the one to fire his nation past the 2010 World Cup Quarterfinalists.

English Premier League side Sunderland owned Asamoah Gya. He is on loan this season from the EPL and continues to be the lead of Ghana's front line with support from Andre Ayew of Olympic Marseille and AC Milan loaner Sulley Muntari.

Match Prediction: Ghana 2 - 1 Tunisia

Conclusion

The African Cup of Nations will be down to four teams after this weekends action.

Didier Drogba's Ivory Coast is still the favored side to go all the way and they have perhaps the easiest quarterfinal match.

Ghana is the other favorite but the Black Stars face a tenacious Tunisian side that could shock them if they do not defend well.

All in all, this is a great weekend of AFC football for all that can make time to watch.

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