AFCON 2015: Quarter-Final Fixtures, Live Stream and Africa Cup of Nations Picks
This weekend marks the beginning of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations knockout stages, with only the eight most deserving teams now left in the hunt for this year's continental title.
The lineup was complete on Thursday, when Guinea won the drawing of lots to seal their place in the quarters, per Rob Harris of The Associated Press, while Mali were unfortunate to exit the competition:
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That eventuality came about after the pair finished on level terms in Group D, depicting just how tight this year's tournament has been thus far, which promises to continue in a similar vein.
This stage of the tournament will hopefully mark an increase in overall quality, however, with live-stream information and predictions discussion of the quarter-final ties ahead.
| Date | Time | Fixture | Live Stream | Prediction |
| Saturday, Jan. 31 | 4 p.m. GMT/11 a.m. ET | Congo vs. DR Congo | Eurosport Player (UK), beIN Sports Connect (US) | Congo Win 1-0 |
| Saturday, Jan. 31 | 7 p.m. GMT/2 p.m. ET | Tunisia vs. Equatorial Guinea | Eurosport Player (UK), beIN Sports Connect (US) | Tunisia Win 2-1 |
| Sunday, Feb. 1 | 4 p.m. GMT/11 a.m. ET | Ivory Coast vs. Algeria | Eurosport Player (UK), beIN Sports Connect (US) | Ivory Coast 1-1 Algeria (Ivory Coast Win on Pens) |
| Sunday, Feb. 1 | 7 p.m. GMT/2 p.m. ET | Ghana vs. Guinea | Eurosport Player (UK), beIN Sports Connect (US) | Ghana Win 3-2 AET |
All quarter-finals can be streamed via Eurosport Player in the U.K., while beIN Sports Connect provides streaming services for U.S. viewers.
Congo vs. Democratic Republic of Congo
A clash of the two Congolese nations will see Claude Le Roy's Group A winners take on Group B runners-up Democratic Republic of Congo in what promises to be a tense fixture where more than a semi-final berth is on the line.
National pride and bragging rights will also figure prominently in the minds of those competing in Saturday's tie. Oluwashina Okeleji of BBC Sport reports that this is no new territory for veteran tactician Le Roy, however:
Since taking over the Congo team nearly two years ago, the Frenchman has succeeded in once again leaving his imprint on an African outfit, guiding the team to an unbeaten record in Group A.
DR Congo weren't quite as convincing in Group B, however, and they drew all three of their fixtures. BBCLoveFootball revealed on Wednesday that the team waits on the fitness of captain Youssuf Mulumbu:
"#DRC’s Youssouf Mulumbu sits out training as expected with an ice pack on his thigh ahead of #Congo game #Afcon2015 http://t.co/ZlgxCfVEQp
— BBCLoveFootball (@bbclovefootball) January 28, 2015"
Losing Mulumbu for such a heated clash would be a damaging blow, but even at full strength, DR Congo head into the meeting as underdogs.
While they did manage to limit their opponents' attack, the Leopards have struggled in finishing chances thus far, while Congo have managed to score at least one goal in every game at the competition.
Prediction: Congo 1-0 Democratic Republic of Congo
Ivory Coast vs. Algeria
At their best, the Ivory Coast can be considered among the major contenders to take this year's AFCON title, but it's a question of consistency which stands in the Elephants' way.
Their quarter-final opponent is no small threat, either, and it was only a bout of last-gasp drama in Group C which prevented Algeria from proceeding into the last eight as pool winners.
A 2-0 win over Senegal in the final group fixture showed what potential the Fennecses have, and even the 2014 World Cup champions Germany were somewhat troubled by Christian Gourcuff's side at times.
Per Okeleji, Ivory Coast manager Herve Renard gave a morale-boosting assessment of what lies ahead for his team:
In truth, it may have been better to see two such strong outfits meet later in the contest, with this quarter-final in particular promising to be a close one, which could go past 120 minutes.
In the event of penalties, the Ivory Coast may feel they have an edge, having made it to two of the last five finals, as well as placing fourth in 2008.
Prediction: Ivory Coast 1-1 Algeria (the Ivory Coast win on penalties)
Ghana vs. Guinea
Guinea were the lucky party on Thursday, winning the aforementioned random draw of lots against Mali to schedule their appointment against Ghana in the knockout stages.
The draw caused a mixed response among the football community. Andy Scott of Agence France-Presse quotes the Mali president in his assessment of the team's fate, with ESPN FC's Julian De Martinis agreeing the system may be outdated:
"Mali lost the drawing of lots to Guinea. Seydou Keita can at least come back to Roma. Small silver lining to a silly way to go out.
— Julian De Martinis (@JulianDM11) January 29, 2015"
Ali Tweedale of WhoScored.com, on the other hand, put forth the notion that if a team cannot get the job done in decisive manner, it's only fitting that they don't full deserve qualification:
Whatever the case, the Black Stars may have felt confident against either team, who each drew all three of their Group D fixtures 1-1.
Similar to the Ivory Coast, it's a question of consistency for Ghana, who lost to Senegal 2-1 in their opening fixture only to beat Algeria and South Africa and take top spot in Group C.
One factor that will need to improve by their standards is the use of initiative, leaving both of those aforementioned wins until the last minute, but a faster start could see them realise their potential.
Prediction: Ghana 3-2 Guinea AET
Tunisia vs. Equatorial Guinea
Even with the hosts' advantage, one might have been forgiven for not considering Equatorial Guinea a big player in the 2015 AFCON, but the National Thunder have swiftly proven they have some crackle.
Esteban Becker's team were most impressive in their Group A closing fixture against Gabon, a 2-0 victory, which, as WhoScored.com illustrated, didn't require a great share of possession in order to seal the result:
Against Tunisia, the home nation will most likely have to deal with a similar minority, but having proven their worth on the counter, they can feel capable of contesting with a nothing-to-lose approach.
Group B winners Tunisia hold an identical record of one win and two draws from the pool stage, but their four goals scored trumps Equatorial Guinea's three, albeit conceding two more goals in the process.
Finishing chances will be critical for the Eagles of Carthage. They're somewhat susceptible at the back, but if they can tuck away enough of those created opportunities, it may not matter.
Prediction: Tunisia 2-1 Equatorial Guinea
