CAF Africa Cup of Nations Prediction: Who will make it all the way?

CAF Africa Cup of Nations is down to the last 4 teams. There is poetry to the way this tournament has played out. In the last 4 we have teams that were written off before the tournament began, teams that were viewed as not good enough to go all the way and teams that were seen as greats of yesteryear. This has been a tournament for the underdog. 

Here are markets to consider adding to your bet slip... 

CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote D’Ivoire 23 

Côte d’Ivoire has played host to a fantastic tournament that has the world buzzing about African Football. As we wind down to the last 6 matches of the tournament, there is still a lot of football to be played. hopefully, a few more upsets and plenty more goals.

Top Offence

Now eliminated, Equatorial Guinea, Senegal and Angola have had the tournaments’ best goal scoring statistics. All three of the teams listed above scored 9 goals during their stay in the tournament. Ironically three of the four teams left in the tournament have only scored 6 goals during this tournament South Africa, Nigeria, and DR Congo. This means that they rank as 6, 7 and 9th on the top offenses log.

Top Defense 

The cliché “goals will win you games, but a good defense wins you titles” reigns true in this edition of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria has the best defense in the tournament with 1 goal conceded, they are followed by the second-best defense in the competition South Africa who have conceded 2 goals. DR Congo and Côte d’Ivoire on the other hand have had a challenging time keeping the ball out of their nets, with both teams having conceded 5 or more goals in the tournament.  

Africa Cup of Nations – Winner Nigeria 6/5

Nigeria have made it this far with a solid defense and the goal scoring efforts of Lookman. They are the odds-on favorites to win the tournament. They have the tournament's best defense and the 8th best attack. The face South Africa in the next round, a team that has also been defensively sound the entire tournament. the odds-on Nigeria winning the tournament from here are 6/5.

 Africa Cup of Nations – Winner Côte d’Ivoire 39/20

It would be difficult to write about possible outright winners without mentioning the tournament’s hosts Côte d’Ivoire. Their journey through this tournament has been far from smooth with back-to-back losses in the group stages, the departure of their coach and a win against Senegal on penalties. They had worked hard to get to the semifinals of their CAF Africa Cup of Nations. the odds on the trophy staying in Côte d’Ivoire 39/20.

Africa Cup of Nations – Winner DR Congo 99/20

the team that made it through the group stages of the CAF Africa Cup of nations without winning a single game. With 4 draws and 1 win to their name, Congo has in confidence as the progress through the rounds of this year’s competition. The sit as third favorites to win this competition ahead of South Africa on odds. The odds on them taking this trophy home are 99/20. Look back at what they have been able to achieve at this tournament, is it luck or is its sheer determination? 

Africa Cup of Nations – Winner South Africa 13/2

No South African fan would be happy with a bronze, Silver, or a fourth-place finish. South Africa May have not started the tournament as favourites to win it but every South African under the sun is starting to believe that we have a chance at taking this trophy home. History has a way of repeating itself. in 1995 South Africa won the Rugby World Cup, and in 1996 they won the Africa Cup of Nations. History might be waving its wound again. 

The odds-on South Africa to win the CAF Africa Cup of Nations are 13/2. Which means a R5 bet on Bafana Bafana will payout out R37,50. if they continue, the way they have in recent games. It might be a bet worth taking.  

Africa Cup of Nations – Top Goal scorer Ademola Lookman 27/5 

The race for the golden boot is led by Equatorial Guinea’s Emilio Nsue who scored 5 goals in 4 matches. However, he has been knocked out of the tournament. The odds on him winning the golden boot are 4/25.  

A player who is still active in the tournament and may still challenge for the golden boot is Ademola Lookman. He has registered 3 goals in 5 matches and looks set to score more as the tournament advances. The odds on him winning the golden boot are set at 27/5.