Winger Amad Diallo scored one goal and created another as defending champions Ivory Coast eased past Burkina Faso 3-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations round-of-16 fixture, while Algeria's Adil Boulbina hit a last-gasp winner at the end of extra time as his side overcame the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0.
The Ivorians will face record seven-time winners Egypt in a heavyweight quarter-final in Agadir on Saturday, a colossal clash that is a repeat of the 2006 decider where the North African side triumphed on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
Yan Diomande and Bazoumana Toure were also on target for coach Emerse Fae’s team as they dominated the contest against the out-gunned Burkinabe and might have won by a greater margin but for some excellent goalkeeping from Herve Koffi.
Diallo, 23, will go back to a new manager at Manchester United after the finals in Morocco having been one of the stand-out players at the tournament so far with three goals and an assist, driving the Ivorians' impressive title defence.
Meanwhile just as the Algeria versus Democratic Republic of Congo round-of-16 tie was headed to a penalty shootout, Boulbina cut in off the left wing before unleashing a dipping shot that flew in, clipping the underside of the crossbar on the way.
It was as much as the more enterprising Algerians deserved, having created more opportunities throughout the toughly contested encounter.
Algeria will now be up against Nigeria in their quarter-final tie in Marrakesh on Saturday.
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