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Sadio Mane fired Senegal through to the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals as they saw off Uganda 1-0 in Cairo.

The Liverpool striker is targeting more silverware after helping his club side land Champions League glory, and Mane’s first-half strike carried his nation past awkward opposition.

Mane missed a second-half penalty after he had been clattered, but his earlier clinical finish proved enough.

Senegal, for whom this was an eighth win in their last nine games, will next face Benin who earned a shock 4-1 penalties win against Morocco following a 1-1 draw earlier on Friday.

Nigeria defender William Troost-Ekong said the shock 2-0 group stage defeat by Madagascar was providing extra motivation for the team ahead of Saturday’s clash with defending Africa Cup of Nations champions Cameroon.

The Super Eagles won their first two games in Alexandria but were surprisingly pipped to top spot in Group B by newcomers Madagascar after an underwhelming display in their final match.

“Everyone was upset about the last game against Madagascar so I think everyone has that extra motivation. It’s do or die because we know we have to do everything to stay in the tournament,” Troost-Ekong told reporters on Friday ahead of the last-16 tie.

“It’s going to be a tough game against Cameroon. We faced them in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers and they might be out for revenge so we have to be ready for them.”

The Udinese centre-back started the opening 1-0 victory over Burundi and was recalled for the Madagascar game, having sat out the 1-0 win over Guinea that secured qualification for the knockout phase.

“We’ve been in this situation before when we’ve lost games when we might have been favourites beforehand. The same thing happened at home versus South Africa at the start of qualifying. Games like that happen,” said Troost-Ekong.

“I think everyone now has woken up from that game. I don’t think anyone was satisfied from that performance. So we have to be very driven to show Nigeria and Africa that we feel otherwise. If you need motivation for this game you’re probably not in the right mindset. We’re going to be very eager to prove a point.

Morocco boss Herve Renard singled out neighbours Algeria as the most impressive team at the Africa Cup of Nations heading into the knockout stages that begin on Friday in Egypt.

Both countries qualified for the last 16 after three wins from three group games, but it was the nature of Algeria’s 1-0 victory over title favourites Senegal that caught the eye of two-time title-winning coach Renard.

“I think there will be a lot of observers who will agree with me. I think up until now Algeria have been the best team at this tournament, notably in the match against Senegal where they performed very, very well,” Renard told reporters on Thursday ahead of Morocco’s tie with Benin.

“There’s speed and spontaneity, with top quality players, a world-class player in (Riyad) Mahrez, and youngsters like (Youcef) Atal and (Ismael) Bennacer who are doing a remarkable job.”

Djamel Belmadi’s Algeria meet Guinea in the last 16 on Sunday and the two North African sides could potentially square off in the final in Cairo on July 19.

“The coach (Belmadi) has succeeded in coming up with a good mixture which is not always easy in Algeria, you have to congratulate him,” continued Renard, who is attempting to guide Morocco to a first title in 43 years.

“Now from the perspective of the final, we’re only in the last 16. We’re concentrating on our match we have to play tomorrow, ensuring there are no nasty surprises.

“We’re just being ourselves and hoping we can move on to the quarterfinals which will an even harder match.”

If Morocco go on to win the title, Renard will become the first coach to guide three different teams to victory.

The Frenchman took Ivory Coast to the title in 2015, having led outsiders Zambia to a surprise victory three years earlier.

Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy will be sidelined for a month with a hand fracture sustained at the Africa Cup of Nations, his club Reims announced.

Mendy, 27, left Egypt on Tuesday to return to France for treatment on a broken left finger suffered during the warm-up ahead of Senegal’s 3-0 victory over Kenya in their final group game.

He was replaced in goal by Alfred Gomis of Italian club SPAL. Mendy’s injury comes as a big blow to a fancied Senegal side looking to win the Cup of Nations for the first time.

They face Uganda in the last 16 in Cairo on Friday, while Reims will hope to have Mendy back fit for the start of the Ligue 1 season against Marseille on August 10.

Morocco will take on Benin in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Round of 16 match at the Al Salam Stadium in Egypt on Friday.

Kick-off is at 6pm CAT.

The Atlas Lions’ hopes of clinching their second Afcon title are still alive after reaching the knockout phase as Group D winners.

Herve Renard’s men dominated the group, recording 1-0 victories over South Africa and Ivory Coast, before thumping Namibia 4-1.

Accomplished French coach Renard says they cannot afford to relax as they could be surprised in the knockout phase.

“It’s too early to speak about who will be crowned at the end,” said Renard, who is the only coach to win the Afcon title with two different countries.

“There might be surprises and we have to prepare more.”

Playmaker Hakim Ziyechi and striker Youssef En-Nesyri are Renard’s key attackers and they have the ability to inspire Morocco to victory over Benin.

Meanwhile, Benin secured their place in the knockout phase for the first time as one of the four best third-placed teams, having finished third in Group F.

The Squirrels opened their group stage campaign with a 2-2 draw with Ghana, before recording 0-0 stalemates against Guinea-Bissau and Cameroon.

Benin head coach Michel Dussuyer is looking to ensure that they extend their stay in Egypt with a win over Morocco.

“It’s a great feat to end the group undefeated. It’s a great feeling of pride,” Dussuyer said.

“There is a saying that appetite comes with eating. If we can get home as late as possible, it will be fine.”

Playmaker Stephane Sessegnon and striker Steve Mounie are Benin’s dangermen and they will be keen to play an important role in helping their side stun Morocco.

In head-to-head stats, Morocco and Benin have met on five occasions.

Morocco are undefeated against Benin, having registered five victories.