African Cup of Nations Preview

We have already written our guide to the outright markets in the African Cup of Nations so now here is a look at how the group markets are shaping up.

Group A is headed by South Africa who are Evens (Blue Sq/888 Sport/Coral) to win it. The hosts I think have been overrated. To me they lack a real goal threat and a player to unlock the tough defences following the decision of Steven Pienaar to retire from international football. I think they can be beaten and those who like to lay bets could do worse than lay the South Africans. Bookmakers have Morocco as the 21/10 (ladbrokes) second favourites though they might regreat leaving at home Adel Taarabt. Angola in the to qualify market at 13/8 (betfred) looks the bet. The Angolans are our dark horses for the tournament and have a highly regarded coach and a real goal threat in Manucho. Nobody should dismiss out of hand Cape Verde either as they saw off Cameroon to get here and are 4/1 (BWin) to qualify from the group.

Group B looks comfortable for Ghana and 4/6 (Coral) seems a fair reflection of the side we expect to lift the trophy. Niger look to be the whipping boys meaning the battle lies for second between Mali and DR Congo. I am going to take DR Congo at 11/4 (betfred/BWin) to qualify as they have the goal threat of Dieumerci Mbokani up front who is our EW bet to be top tournament goalscorer. Manager Claude Le Roy is a veteran of this tournament and will have his side well organized and drilled.

Nigeria are expected to dominate Group C and at 11/10 (Coral) could offer some value. Victor Moses could be the key man amongst a number of attacking talents and although they have question marks at the back and with the keeper the price looks too good to turn down when you consider the other sides in the group. Zambia might be the defending champions however they limped into the tournament and will be marked out from the start as they seek to reclaim their crown. At 6/4 (general) I would much rather be with Nigeria who have more firepower in their ranks. The other sides in the group are Burkina Faso who are 7/1 (BetVictor/youwin) to top the group which might have been tempting if not for the injury problems to key man Jonathan Pitroipa. Ethiopia are making their first appearance in the tournament for over 30 years and prices of 40/1 (BetVictor/188 Bet) suggest that this is a side who will not trouble the other three.

The final group, D, is dominated by the Ivory Coast who are a best priced 4/9 (ladbrokes) to win it. Although I think they are being over-rated in the outright markets I can not see reason why they should not win this group. Though I would not back for it or against it as this is a side who can constantly find new ways to shoot themselves in the foot. The other three sides in this group are likely to be battling it out for one remaining slot, just who will come through? Firstly we can start by eliminating Togo who despite the presence of Emmanuel Adebayor look to be out of their depth in a tough group. This leads to a battle between Algeria who are evens (betfred/BWin) to qualify while Tunisia are 6/5 (ladbrokes). I lean to the former though at those prices I would prefer to look at other bets.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Nigeria to win Group C, 11/10 (Coral)
SILVER: Angola to qualify from Group A, 13/8 (betfred)
BRONZE: DR Congo to qualify from Group B, 11/4 (betfred/BWin)

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19/01/2013     © Frixo 2024