CAF Africa Cup of Nations Prediction: Africa’s Continental show piece reaches the last eight

The Show pieces' biggest names have left the group chat. FIFA's top five ranked African counties have all crashed out of the competition and this point the drama surrounding this competition is starting to bubble. The last 8 teams look like something out of a football fantasy play book. Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, DR Congo, Cape Verde, Guinea, Angola and of course South Africa. It is not too late to make your outright bet. Back your country to win. 

Here are markets to consider adding to your bet slip…

Africa Cup of Nations – Winner South Africa 56/5 

I know what you are thinking, not this again. It seems s that every time South Africa wins an important game, we forget about how inconsistent they can be. We forget about how they have choked in the past and disappointed us as a nation but, this time. Something is different about this side. I will not go into the cliché of “this side reminds me of the class of 96”. We all deserve better motivation then that.  

So here it is, “this side reminds me of Spain’s class of 2010”. The core of this team is made up of Mamelodi Sundown’s players. Players who have been playing together, training together and competing on the African continent week in and out for a few seasons now. All the rave was around Themba Zwane coming into this tournament and we may have overlooked a dynamo in the midfield in the form of Themba’s teammate Teboho Mokoena. A player who is not known for his goalscoring, mostly featuring as a defensive midfielder at club level. However, he has had stints this season all around the midfield in central, right and attacking areas. He had the game of his life against Morocco using the freedom afforded to him by Hugo Broos.  

The Mamelodi Sundowns core in this Bafana Bafana side, may be enough to bring home the trophy. the odds-on South Africa returning as champions is sitting at 56/5. The only question is are going to back Bafana Now or after they have advanced past Cape Verde? 

Africa Cup of Nations – Winner Nigeria 19/10 

Odds-on favourites to win the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria have the best defense in the tournament with only one goal conceded the entire tournament. They knocked out Cameroon in the last round and they prepare to face the challenge of Angola on the second of February. If they are to advance to the semi-finals they will need to improve in their attack. They have a team with world class names upfront. Ademola Lookman stepped up for them against Cameroon and we are still to see the best of Victor Osimhen from a goal scoring perspective. he has been lively in buildup play, using his pace to trouble defenders but a lack of product has left him with just one goal and one assist in four appearances. 

the odds-on Nigeria winning this tournament are sitting at 19/10. This is still a possibility, with their outstanding defensive record in this tournament they have all the ingredients of a team that can go all the way.  

Africa Cup of Nations – Winner Côte d’Ivoire 57/20

A few weeks ago, the hosts looked like they were crashing out of their CAF Africa Cup of Nations. A third-place finish in the groups and a win on penalties against Champions and current holders Senegal. Now the doubters have turned into believers. Côte d’Ivoire is scheduled to face Mali in the last 8 round on the 3rd of February 2024. It is a game that the hosts will back themselves to win although the bookmakers may price Mali as the odds-on favorites to win this encounter. 

The odds of the hosts winning this edition of the CAF Africa Cup of nations are set at 57/20. that makes them close favorites behind Nigeria to walk away as champions. It is no surprise when you look at the names on their team sheet. Jean-Phillipe Krasso, Serge Aurier, Nicolas Pepe, Sebastien Haller, and Franck Kessie. World Class players making waves in Europe’s topflight. Can that European experience bring an African trophy home?