Kalou, Mandjeck and Obinna are all in the Olympic quarter-finals

Africa is guaranteed to have a team in the semi-finals of the men's Olympic football tournament as Nigeria take in Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals.

The continent's other representatives, Cameroon, are also into the last eight.

They will take on Brazil.

1996 gold medallists Nigeria advanced as winners of their group and were unbeaten after an opening draw with one of the pre-tournament favourites Holland and then wins over Japan and the USA.

The "Dream Team IV" are without several key players following club versus country rows.

Russia-based Peter Odemwingie is the only over-aged player in the squad after goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and striker Ikechukwu Uche were not released by their clubs.

The lack of an experienced goalkeeper has already cost Nigeria with Ambruse Vanzekin's poor clearance leading to a goal for Japan.

A rash challenge from Vanzekin then lead to a penalty for the USA.

The Ivory Coast are making their first appearance in the Olympic football tournament and began their campaign with a 2-1 loss to defending champions Argentina.

The Ivorians bounced back from that defeat with an easy 4-2 win over Serbia and made sure of their qualification with a 1-0 victory over Australia.

Cameroon will play Brazil in the quarter-finals

The 2000 gold medallists Cameroon face a tough task in the last eight as they play Brazil, who maybe surprisingly are yet to win an Olympic gold medal.

The Brazilians have won all three of their games so far scoring nine goals and are yet to concede.

The Africans have struggled to find the net in China with just two goals so far.

Georges Mandjeck has been both hero and Villain for Cameroon - scoring a late equaliser in the opening game against South Korea that ended 1-1, he was then sent off in the goalless draw with Italy.

The only other goal was scored by Stephane Mbia as Cameroon narrowly beat Honduras 1-0.

All the quarter-finals are on 16 August.