The quarterfinals of the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2026) are set to kick off today, with two thrilling fixtures: Ivory Coast will face Algeria, while hosts Morocco take on South Africa in arguably the biggest tie of the round, Soccernet.ng reports.
These matches feel more like finals, as the winners secure an automatic ticket to the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. Thus, African silverware is not the only prize at stake.
During the group stage, 10-time champions Nigeria needed other results to go their way in the group stage to seal qualification for the quarterfinals. However, they know that this is where the real business begins, and any mistake will be heavily punished.
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They take on Cameroon, a side that has given them sleepless nights in the past. Still, Justin Madugu's team remains the favorite to claim the win in this encounter. In the final game of the round, debutants Malawi will be hoping to continue their fairytale run when they face Ghana.
Ahead of the matches, we asked a supercomputer to predict the results of all the quarterfinal fixtures, and it generated some interesting outcomes.
Supercomputer Predicts Results for WAFCON 2026 Quarterfinals
Morocco vs. South Africa
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The supercomputer admitted that this is the hardest game of the round to call, but ultimately tipped Morocco to win 1-0. Its reasoning is that South Africa have reached the semifinals in their last nine WAFCON appearances and boast talented players like Thembi Kgatlana, Hilda Magaia, Linda Motlhalo, and Refiloe Jane.
Meanwhile, Morocco have looked exceptionally comfortable throughout the tournament. Both teams appear evenly matched physically and tactically, but Morocco hold the home advantage, which could be the decisive factor on the day.
Ivory Coast vs. Algeria
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According to the supercomputer, both teams have performed well in this tournament. Algeria finished behind Morocco in Group A, while Ivory Coast topped Group B with seven points.
The supercomputer favors the Ivorians to claim victory due to the tactical variety in their game, noting their ability to both dominate possession and defend solidly. Its prediction for this encounter is 2-1.
Cameroon vs. Nigeria
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Based on group stage performances, Cameroon was the stronger side, picking up seven points compared to Nigeria's six. The Cameroonians have conceded only two goals all tournament.
Consequently, the supercomputer suggests the game could swing either way, noting that whoever scores first will likely win. Ultimately, its prediction is a 2-1 victory for the Super Falcons.
Malawi vs. Ghana
The supercomputer noted that this is a dangerous fixture due to Malawi's fairytale run in the tournament so far. However, Ghana should be able to edge it based on their experience as three-time finalists.
Another deciding factor is Ghana's ability to contain and withstand pressure, leading the supercomputer to predict a 2-1 result in their favor.
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