Serious things start at last in this CAN-2019. After the knockout stages that have left room for surprises and put on the carpet several favorites of the tournament - Egypt and Morocco, to name a few - the Cadors still in contention back cover.

For Senegal, the first power in Africa, the deal is simple: continue its rise to power and finally endorse the costume of favorite carved for him since the kickoff of the competition. In the round of 16, Aliou Cisse's men were scared, validating their ticket by the smallest margins against a fiery Uganda (1-0).

Sadio Mané found the fault in the quarter of an hour, but behind, the Téranga Lions really suffered against the Cranes, who had to eliminate them only a little too awkward in front of the goal. Quarter finalists forceps, Senegal will have to show other arrangements against another surprise of this African Cup, the amazing Benin.

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The Squirrels had never been at such a party. For the first time in their history, they invited themselves into the top 8 African after leaving Morocco Hervé Renard on penalties. And it's more historical that they managed this feat without having won any meeting, as had been the case in their first three participations in the CAN.

Without victory but with four solid draws, the men of Michel Dussuyer have in any case confirmed that they were very difficult to maneuver ... And especially they knew how to go to the end of their game plan: punish teams who are too slow to find the flaw in their defensive organization.

English dueling for a final square

The other quarterfinal of the day will feature two English selections, Nigeria and South Africa. A poster that looks particularly enticing between two formations that have alternated the very bad and the much better since the start of this CAN-2019.

In terms of dynamics, advantage to Bafana Bafana. Qualified as the fourth and last draft among the third pool, no one gave much of their skin against Egypt, the host country. But in 90 minutes, Stuart Baxter's men totally reversed the trend. Tau, Lorch and their teammates not only muzzled the Pharaohs, but they showed a lot of going offensive, even to the point of leaving one of the favorites of the competition on a goal of the latter (1-0).

Of course, this new face should appeal to Nigerians, especially as they do not show up with the maximum guarantees. After a sluggish group stage - including an unlikely defeat against Madagascar - they came out of a complicated eighth final against Cameroon's title-holder. Friable defensive, the Super Eagles however found the resources to overthrow the Indomitable Lions, scoring more goals in a single game than during all group matches (3-2).

What to include in the program of these quarters, a minimum goal for this great African who finds the CAN for the first time since 2013, date of his third and last coronation.

• The program of Wednesday, July 10
Senegal - Benin at 6 pm in Cairo
Nigeria - South Africa at 9 pm in Cairo