2025 African Cup of Nations Picks

[DiamondJack]

A holiday/New years bi-annual tradition like no other. The tournament kicks off on Sunday Dec 21 with all games being hosted in Morocco. The hosts are the odds on favourite to win the trophy. The upcoming world cup in June will make these matches harder to cap as the majority of the favourites have already qualified for the world cup and may be using this tournament to test out formations/players instead of focusing on winning the AFCON. Out of the top 11 odds on favourites only Nigeria, Cameroon & Mali are the trio not going to North America.



Historically looking back at the last 6 tournaments the trends favour unders and draws. Since 2012 from 252 games 37% of them ended level and averaged 2.08 goals per game. Usually the tournament is held in the winter because of the heat in Africa. This will not be a problem in Morocco as cool temperatures are forecast. So I'm expecting a 2.25 goals per game average.

[DiamondJack]

I'm not a big futures player but I do have a few that I locked in. Morocco are the rightful favourites being hosts and quite frankly being overdue not having won the continental championship since 1976. However at the current odds there is zero value backing the home side. I do like the value on Mali who have never won the tournament to make a run.



1. Mali to make the final @ 6.00/+500 (1u) Bet365

[DiamondJack]

Group F features two teams heading in different directions. The Ivory Coast are the current title holders and are focusing the upcoming world cup. Cameroon have been bounced out of the world cup. The past 2 head to head Cameroon have won once and tied the other. I see this as a coin flip as to who wins the group, so going with the numbers;



2. Cameroon Group F winner @ 2.75/+175 (1u) Bet365

[DiamondJack]

Group C features two heavy weights in Nigeria & Tunisia. It is important to note that 4 out of the 6 3rd place teams advance to the next round. I see Uganda as a favourite to to edge Tanzania for 3rd. Head to head wise Uganda have won 5 and lost 3 in the last 5 years. Uganda have also have had a great run of form lately netting 18 points in their past 10 games.



3. Uganda to Qualify @ 2.10/+110 (1u) Bet365

[DiamondJack]

Group A features the hosts and odds on favourite to get to the final Morocco and my pick Mali to make a run. Comoros will fight it out for 3rd place in the group versus Zambia. Head to head wise Zambia & the Comoros islands have a 2W 2L 1D record in the past 5 years. Comoros have an extra day of rest versus Zambia so I think its 50/50 who gets 3rd as 4 of the 6th place sides going through.


4. Comoros to Qualify @ 3.25/+225 (1u) Will Hill