African Cup of Nations Preview Sat 19th

Maybe it is because bookmakers have heard most of the players playing for them that the Ivory Coast should be such a short price (15/8-BetVictor) to win the African Cup of Nations that gets underway Saturday in South Africa. Undoubtedly the talent is in the squad with the likes of Yaya Toure, Didier Drogba, Arouna Kone, Kolo Toure and Gervinho among the players. Yet this team is not Spain and for that price you would want a dominant force with a history of big tournament victories. The Ivory Coast have won this event just once in 1992 while this current crop have lost in the final twice (though both these defeats were on penalties). Are the Ivory Coast the best team? Quite possibly. Is the price value? Not at all.

If not the Ivory Coast then who? Bookmakers make Ghana the 7/1 (Coral) second favourites which is better value. This Ghana side is packed with talent who, other than Albert Adomah, play outside of England. Young Porto midfielder Christian Atsu could be the star of the tournament and create a number of goals for Asamoah Gyan. Kwado Asamoah and Derek Boateng should pull the strings in midfield while former Premier League player John Pantsil is among a number of solid players at the back. Ghana at 7/1 look ones to have on your side.

Hosts South Africa are 9/1 (general) third favourites and this would be a decent price if it was not for the big loss of Steven Pienaar who retired from international football just a few months ago. Throw in the fact that the Bafana Bafana are struggling for goals and are in a group with a Cape Verde side who eliminated Cameroon, the always dangerous Morocco and a strong Angola side it looks tough for the hosts. Just like in 2010 the South Africans face the real threat of an opening round exit in a tournament that they are hosting.

Nigeria are 10/1 (Coral) and they could be anything in this tournament. Victor Moses, Ikechukwu Uche, Emmanuel Emenike and Ogenyi Onazi offer a wealth of attacking talents and should fire in the goals though with a number of question marks over the backline and the keeper they might need to.

Of the other nations Zambia at 12/1 (general) do not offer much appeal. The defending champions had to scrape past Uganda to qualify and this time they have the pressure of being a marked target, one to swerve. Mali at 15/1 (You Win) and Morocco and Algeria at 16/1 (general) could all go well.

At a bigger price Angola at 50/1 (boylesports/188 Bet) look worth some intererst. This price will come down if they can get out of the group with South Africa and Morocco. Coach Gustavo Ferrin has lead Uruguay to world titles at U17 and U20 level and if this Angola side is organised they have they potential to shock especially with the goal threat of Manucho.

One final outright bet is in the top scorer market which is headed by Didier Drogba at 9/2 (general) and Asamoah Gyan 8/1 (general). Most bookmakers offer ¼ the odds EW and it might pay to take someone at a bigger price. The selection is Dieumerci Mbokani at 33/1 (boylesports/william hill) who is being overlooked because he plays for DR Congo. The player has nine goals from 18 at international level and 28 from 40 at club level for Anderlecht and is a goal machine looking to attract the eyes of a number of the big clubs.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Ghana EW to win the African Cup of Nations, 7/1 (Coral)
SILVER: Dieumerci Mbokani to finish top scorer EW, 33/1 (Boylesports/william hill)
BRONZE: Angola EW to win the African Cup of Nations, 50/1 (Boylesports/188 Bet)

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19/01/2013     © Frixo 2024