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In Pictures: The AFCON Quarter-finalists

The teams that have made it through to last eight of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

Ivory Coast
Runaway favourites - the Ivory Coast - were the first team to qualify for the quarter-finals defeating Tunisia and Togo. Their manager shocked many by starting Didier Drogba on the bench in game two. But is it all part of a master plan to ensure the Ivory Coast win a long-awaited trophy? [Reuters]
Published On 30 Jan 2013
South Africa
The weight of South Africa hung around manager Gordon Igesund(***)s neck as his team entertained Africa in their back yard. And that is why he looks full of joy (and relief) after South Africa qualified top of Group A [Reuters]
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Cape Verde
The shock quarter-finalists of the competition were the Cape Verde Islands. Maybe it had something to do with the week coach Luis Antunes spent studying Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid before the tournament! Maybe not! Who knows, but it(***)s a great story [Reuters]
Ghana
Ghana are another one of the tournament favourites and they showed us why topping Group B with an impressive seven points. The Black Stars are certainly ones to watch, and with tricky customer Asamoah Gyan among their ranks, anything is possible! [Reuters]
Mali
While Mali is a nation in turmoil and has captured the headlines this week, the football team are doing their people proud at the Africa Cup of Nations. They have qualified along with Ghana - DR Congo and Niger headed home [GETTY]
Burkina Faso
It has been so far, so good for Burkina Faso who topped Group C with little problems or stress. A four-nil thrashing of Ethiopia one of highlights for the competitive nation [Reuters]
Nigeria
Not sure what the Nigerian fans have done wrong but whatever it is, they are sorry. That(***)s nice isn(***)t it? The team should perhaps apologise too because despite qualifying, they have not put in the inspiring performances their fans would have hoped for. Yet! [Reuters]
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Togo
And last, but not least, the final team to qualify were Togo. But boy was it close! In a fractious match with many contentious decisions, Togo held on to a crucial 1-1 draw against Tunisia to progress on goal difference [Reuters]