After a day of zero shocks in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, quarter-finals action will resume Saturday night with the highlight game being hosts Côte d’Ivoire clashing with the Eagles of Mali at Stade Bouaké from 2000 EAT.Ivory Coast vs MaliTeam formCotê d’Ivoire made a quick turnaround in their campaign by knocking out defending champions Senegal in the round of 16 on penalties, while Mali, after an unbeaten run in their group, saw off Burkina Faso 2-1 in the same stage.Despite knocking out Senegal however, Ivory Coast are winless in their last three games and yet to score from open play in the process.Salomon Kalou: Ivory Coast’s experience key to AFCON 2023 triumphAfter the qualification against Senegal, we were able to take up our colors which was very complicated for us from the very beginning but to be able to win especially when we went to penalties, it was actually touching,” Ivorian head coach Emerse Fae, who led the Elephants to a memorable win last Monday said,“The Malian team is good. They have good midfielders and we know it will be very tough and from our side, we are tough also.“We are going to prepare a team that is going to play against Mali. We will prepare in terms of the quality. We have our strength and what is important is we concentrate on our team.”His opposite number – Éric Sékou Chelle – said: “We are happy to be here. We have had some time to recover and to prepare ourselves for this game this is also an eliminating game and is very symbolic for us and we are expecting a lot from this game.“We are actually working before each game, especially the defense and we are progressing every day,” he said. “The strikers are also working and it is always about teamwork. We have players who are not here but are always supporting us. This is a high level and we are going to give a good account of ourselves.”Key statsIvory Coast dominate the head-to-head stats between the two sides at the AFCON, winning four of their previous five games (D1) against the Eagles, who have only scored twice in those games.Mali are unbeaten in their last eight AFCON matches since the start of the 2021 edition (W4 D4), conceding just three goals and keeping five clean sheets.Cape Verde vs South Africa The second fixture at 2300 EAT will see surprise side Cape Verde take on South Africa at Stade Charles Konan Banny de Yamoussoukro.The two sides will meet in only the second-ever meeting at the AFCON after a 0-0 draw in the group stage in 2013.##NAJAVA_MECA_7845505##The previous encounter was Cape Verde’s very first match in the competition and the very first game of the 2013 edition – hosted by South Africa.Cape Verde are looking to reach the semi-finals of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations for the first time, with this their second quarter-final appearance, their first since a 2-0 defeat to Ghana in 2013.South Africa, on the other hand, have reached the quarter-finals in three of their last four appearances, while they’re looking to reach the semi-finals of the competition for the first time since 2000 (lost 2-0 against Nigeria).AFCON 2023 – QUARTER-FINALSFridayNigeria – Angola 1-0 (1-0)/Lookman 41/DR Congo – Guinea 3-1 (1-1)/Mbemba 27, Wissa 65 pen, Masuaku 82 – Bayo 20 pen/Saturday20:00: (3.30) Mali (3.10) Ivory Coast (2.35)23:00: (2.65) Cape Verde (3.05) S.Africa (2.90)***odds are subject to change***
