Arguably, teams in the quarter finals of Gabon AFCON 2017 reflects bits of balance in power, determination, tactical awareness, composure confidence and courage.

Perhaps, the only surprise exits are those of Algeria and Cote d’Ivoire – some may have some arguments regarding Gabon.

Other exits are ‘expected’ and no one will throw tantrums that Zimbabwe, Uganda, Guinea Bissau, Togo and unfortunately; Mali have all been knocked out of the championship.

The pairings are as exciting and potentially explosive as one can imagine.

Ghana tackles Congo DRC;

Senegal battles Cameroun;

North Africa neighbours Egypt and Morocco will lock horns

while Tunisia slug it out with Burkina Faso.

Truth be told; none of these matches will be easy and only the prepared will win on the field of play.

Personally, I look forward to the match between Cameroun and Senegal in Franceville on Saturday for two reasons.

Senegal is nicknamed the Teranga Lions and Cameroun is tagged as the Indomitable Lions. Just for curiosity; I am keen to know which lion is superior to the other.

Secondly; they are both unbeaten in the competition and the first loss will be the end of the road as far as AFCON 2017 is concerned.

Will there be trepidation, handbrakes or negativity? My desire is to see a great match that will put African football solidly on the map of our great game.

The Black Stars will file out against arguably the most technically savvy team of the tournament; Congo DRC. Unfortunately, they are likely to be without their inspirational and tireless captain, Asamoah Gyan who seemed to have gotten groin injury in the last encounter with Egypt. Ghana played their hearts out against the better organized Pharaohs but they didn’t get any joy and this has thrown up what I consider to be a big challenge in progressing further in the competition.

Congo DRC is a mobile, physical and aggressive team that could pose threat to anyone in this competition. Their top finish in Group was no fluke. They scored six goals and played like a well-oiled engine. Unlike most teams in Africa; Congo DRC (at least in this competition) played like they had a plan and were ready to stick with it. The foregoing, if not taken into proper perspectives may signify the end of the Black Stars in this completion. There is also the poor pitch in Oyem which may play into the hands of the Congolese as they are already familiar with the terrains.

Egypt encounter against Morocco may turn out to be the battle of Hector Cuper and Herve Renard; two top gaffers who have been around for a while. While the latter is quite decorated on the African continent; the former is renowned for his stints at Valencia and Inter Milan.

The Egyptians are quite familiar with the Atlas Lions and from past Head –to-Head records have beaten the Moroccans on 14 occasion, drawn 11 and lost only on three. The sheer number of drawn games in the past could reoccur to stretch the match into extra time and penalties. The match could also be thrown on its head to give us a spectacle. I wouldn’t mind seeing another spectacular goal from either of the team!

Tunisia has been very impressive in this tournament. Their positive approach to their games is a clear departure from the pensive and tentative Carthage Eagles of the recent past.  Facing and overcoming the powerful Burkinabes should be a task to be relished if they are ambitious enough. There is only the small matter of navigating the impressive collection of footballers led by Charles Kabore; a brilliant midfielder.

On the balance of what I have seen so far in the competition, indiscipline and unnecessary aggression may cause The Stallions their exit. If they rein in this potential Achilles heel; they should win this encounter by the odd goal.