The Africa Cup of Nations is in its final week following the weekend’s four Quarter-Final ties in which eight teams continued to provide the drama and entertainment of an unforgettable tournament.
Hosts Cameroon were hoping to continue their impressive tournament so far, while four of Africa’s biggest names in Senegal, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia were also in action.
But three surprise packages in Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea and Gambia were also looking to continue their remarkable fairytales so far.
And after another entertaining weekend, we are down to the final four ahead of the semi-finals on Wednesday and Thursday, before the final comes around on Sunday.
Here is a full round-up of how each Premier League player got on in the quarter-finals of AFCON 2021, as a semi-final place was up for grabs.
Who are your favourites to advance to the final of this year’s AFCON? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Arsenal
Mohamed Elneny is through to the semi-finals with Egypt after their 2-1 extra time win against Morocco on Sunday, in which the midfielder started and played the full 120 minutes.
Omar Rekik’s AFCON journey is over after Tunisia lost 1-0 to Burkina Faso on Saturday, with the defender failing to make an appearance off the bench and adding to his two cameo appearances at the tournament.
Aston Villa
Trezeguet helped Egypt into the last four after coming on as a half-time substitute before scoring the winner in the 100th minute during extra time to help his side come from behind to beat Morocco 2-1 on Sunday.
Bertrand Traore also advanced to the semi-finals after his Burkina Faso side shocked Tunisia with a 1-0 defeat on Saturday, although the winger was an unused substitute for the tie.
Chelsea
Edouard Mendy will take part in the semi-finals with Senegal, despite not keeping a clean sheet, after they defeated Equatorial Guinea 3-1 on Sunday.
Crystal Palace
Cheikhou Kouyate played a big part in Senegal’s 3-1 victory against Equatorial Guinea as he scored his side’s second goal just three minutes after coming on as a 65th minute substitute.
Leicester City
Nampalys Mendy once again started and played the full 90 minutes for Senegal as they defeated Equatorial Guinea 3-1 to avoid a potential banana skin on Sunday.
Liverpool
Mohamed Salah was instrumental in Egypt’s 2-1 extra time victory over Morocco on Sunday, scoring a 53rd minute equaliser and providing the assist for Trezeguet’s winner, before coming off in added time.
Sadio Mane is also into the semi-finals after Senegal beat Equatorial Guinea 3-1, in which he played the full 90 minutes and assisted Famara Diedhiou for the opening goal.
Manchester United
Hannibal Mejbri was an unused substitute for Tunisia in their disappointing 1-0 defeat to Burkina Faso on Saturday, as the Eagles of Carthage were sent packing from Cameroon.
Watford
Imran Louza and Adam Masina will return to Vicarage Road following Morocco’s 2-1 defeat to Egypt after extra-time on Sunday, despite taking the lead, with Masina playing the full game and Louza coming on as an 86th minute substitute.
Ismaila Sarr played his first match at the tournament after recovering from injury and marked his return by coming on as a 58th minute substitute and scoring Senegal’s third goal in their 3-1 win over Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.
Wolves
Romain Saiss and Morocco’s AFCON dream is over following their 2-1 defeat to Egypt on Sunday, in which the defender captained his side and played the full 90 minutes plus extra time.
