African Cup Of Nations Group Stage Tips
African Cup of Nations - Group Stage Betting Tips
Forget the World Cup, on the continent of Africa, there is one tournament that means even more to them than making the World Cup and that is the African Cup of Nations, during the group stages of the competition we find that their are often a number of shock results during the competition. Where these shocks will come, we don't know. However, in 2021, Malawi got a draw against Senegal, Cape Verde held Cameroon and Comoros beat Ghana! So anything can happen.
Bet on the African Cup of Nations
What are we tipping for the group stages of the Africa Cup of Nations? Where will the shocks come? Find out below.
African Cup of Nations - Matchday 2 Tips
The first round of fixtures in the 2023 African Cup of Nations came to its conclusion on Wednesday and, with the groups beginning to take shape after a match for each team, it is time to look to the second set of games.
There are some big ties set to take place over the second group stage fixtures including a heavyweight clash between seven-time winners Egypt and four-time champions Ghana, after both made disappointing starts to their campaigns, and a mouthwatering Group A tussle that will see hosts Ivory Coast take on a star-studded Nigeria.
We have you covered with our three best tips for the second round of games, beginning with that must-watch tie between the Elephants and the Super Eagles.
Ivory Coast to beat Nigeria @ 23/20
Ivory Coast put in a professional performance to shake off any pressure they may have felt being the hosts of this tournament when beating Guinea-Bissau 2-0 in their opening game, and they can carry that form into this fixture against Nigeria on Thursday.
The Super Eagles could only manage a 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea in their opener, which is not as surprising as it may seem given that their preparation for Afcon saw them draw 1-1 with low-ranked sides Zimbabwe and Lesotho and lose 2-0 to Guinea.
Nigeria have some big issues at the back - especially in the goalkeeper department where all of their options are prone to high-profile errors - and have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight games.
Ivory Coast have won four matches on the bounce and scored 18 goals in that run, suggesting their prolific attack will punish a shaky Super Eagles defence and earn another three points for the rampant Elephants.
Both teams to score in Egypt vs Ghana @ 11/8
Later on Thursday, two sides who made disappointing starts to their African Cup of Nations campaigns will be looking to make amends in Abidjan.
Egypt needed a stoppage-time penalty to rescue a point against Mozambique in their opener whilst Ghana were beaten 2-1 by Cape Verde as their poor form under Chris Hughton continued.
The defence for both of these teams proved to be the biggest issue in their opening fixtures, with easily-avoidable goals being conceded by the Pharaohs and Black Stars, although their attacks can still be prolific especially with Mohamed Salah and Mohammed Kudus on the pitch for Egypt and Ghana respectively.
Both sides have scored in three of the last five meetings between these sides and, with both teams desperate to get their first win of the tournament and weak backlines in place for each nation, the same outcome should be backed on Thursday.
Senegal to beat Cameroon and over 1.5 goals @ 9/5
Reigning African Cup of Nations champions Senegal made the perfect start to their title-defence on Monday, beating Gambia 3-0, and they should continue that form against Cameroon who could only manage a 1-1 draw with Guinea, despite their opponents playing with ten-men for the entirety of the second half.
The champions were excellent and professional in their opener and should overpower the Indomitable Lions on Friday.
The return of Andre Onana between the sticks for Cameroon will not be enough to stop a star-studded Senegal attack - that has scored nine goals in the nation’s last five games - from running riot in Yamoussoukro.
Expect at least a couple of goals in this match, with Sadio Mane and Lamine Camara the likeliest scorers for the Lions of Teranga, as the champions make it six points from six as they bid to become the first consecutive African Cup of Nations winners since 2010.
Africa Cup of Nations Matchday 1 Tips
The Africa Cup of Nations gets under way on Saturday, with hosts Ivory Coast taking on Guinea-Bissau in the opener.
There is plenty of competitive action for punters to get their teeth into during the first matchday and we have picked out the best bets for the first matchday of the tournament.
Tip 1 - Ivory Coast to beat Guinea-Bissau and over 2.5 goals @ 11/10
The Africa Cup of Nations has a reputation as a low-scoring tournament, 100 goals were scored in 52 games of the last edition, but the opening matchup could be an entertaining affair.
Guinea-Bissau have scored in five of their last six matches and could get on the scoresheet against the hosts Ivory Coast.
The Elephants’ last five games have produced 21 goals so do not discount a high-scoring first game. They will want to make a statement in their opener and they have plenty of attacking talents, so much so that Wilfried Zaha missed out on making their squad.
Sebastian Haller looks likely to lead the line and this could be a good opportunity for the Borussia Dortmund striker to find the net.
Take the home side to win a game that also has three or more goals.
Tip 2 - Ghana to beat Cape Verde @ 17/20
Ghana have a talented squad and should have enough to see off Cape Verde in their opening matchup on Sunday.
The Black Stars can count the Ayew brothers, Antoine Semenyo and Mohammed Kudus among their ranks and look likely to have the measure of a Cape Verde side that lost to Togo and Comoros last year.
Chris Hughton’s side look too strong on paper and many of their opponents’ squad are also approaching veteran status so side with Ghana to come out on top in this clash.
Tip 3 - Guinea or draw double chance v Cameroon @ 10/13
Cameroon are priced up as favourites when they meet Guinea in their first group game on Monday but they may be worth taking on at their odds.
The Indomitable Lions only won three of their eight matches in 2023 and lost to Namibia in qualifying for this tournament.
Rigobert Song’s men also drew with Libya in a recent World Cup qualifier and have been dealt a significant blow for their hopes in this year’s competition as Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo misses out through injury.
They take on a Guinea side that is littered with plenty of top level talent and could secure something of a shock.
Naby Keita is the standout performer for the National Elephants but plenty of their players play in the top five leagues in Europe, including RB Leipzig’s Ilaix Moriba, Montpellier’s Issiaga Sylla and Serhou Guirassy, who has been a revelation at Stuttgart this season, netting 17 times in 14 games. Guinea are fancied to avoid defeat in this clash.
