Football: African Cup Of Nations

Africa’s premier international competition kicks off with a number of teams who will consider themselves realistic chances to land the title.

All the African teams who qualified for the World Cup will compete – the qualification tournament also doubled as that for the tournament – apart from hosts South Africa, possibly reflecting the depth of the task facing them when they host the tournament in June.

Ivory Coast are 5-2 favourites with Stan James, Victor Chandler, Sky Bet and Bet365.

They qualified comfortably and have a number of quality players in their side including Emmanuel Eboue, Kolo Toure, Didier Zokora, Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba – which also make them one of the outside chances for the World Cup.

They were runners-up in 2006 and fourth last time out, and as long as Drogba remains fit and Barcelona’s Yaya Toure can adapt to a more advanced playmaker position, then they will be tough to beat. They are also 9-10 on (Betfair) to reach the final, and are favourites to go through in Group B which also includes second favourites Ghana, Burkina Faso and Togo.

Ghana (5-1 various) were the first team to reach the finals through qualifying. However, key men are ruled out including Johns Mensah and Paintsil, skipper Stephen Appiah and Sulley Muntari which means success could be a tall order for the Black Stars.

A foreign coach has also never won the trophy – the side being currently led by Serbian Milovan Rajevac. They do have several members of their victorious FIFA World Under-20 side, and much will depend on how those players given a chance can adapt to senior level, allied to the experience of key figures Michael Essien and Asamoah Gyan.

As hosts last time out they finished third, and should Rajevac get the blend right then they could still go far. They are also around 9-5 (Betfair) to make the January 31 final.

Egypt look the value

Egypt look a great bet at 9/1 to triumph again witrh Bet365, who also offer a free £200/€200 bet on the Tournament! Claim it here!

Some teams may try out some different options with the summer in mind, which could let in one or two outsiders. Holders Egypt (9-1 Paddy Power, Ladbrokes and William Hill) will be keen to make amends following their World Cup play-off elimination by bitter rivals Algeria (14-1 Sporting Bet, Bluesq and 888Sport – who include Madjid Bougherra, Nadir Belhadj and Hameur Bouazza in their squad).

Tunisia (16-1 William Hill and Bet Fred) have named a youthful squad with few star names but are sure to be competitive, while hosts Angola (25-1 Ladbrokes) are also capable of a run – former Manchester United forward Manucho leads their line. There are others too with a quality player or two in their ranks such as 66-1 Togo (various firms, 24-1 Betfair to make the final) – who will have African Player of the Year, Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor leading their line.

Egypt are the current holders, having won in 2006 and 2008, and are six time winners – the most successful in the continent. Despite having selection problems – key men Amr Zaki and Mohamed Aboutrika are ruled out through injury while Mido has been left out – talents such as Mohamed Zidan are capable of helping them to a third successive crown. They are around 3-1 (Betfair) to reach the final, similar odds to Nigeria – whose group they are in.

The Super Eagles have come under fire for some lacklustre displays in recent months, and they scraped through qualifying for this tournament and the World Cup. Injury problems and a lack of form for many of their star men – Joseph Yobo, Ayegbeni Yakubu and Obafemi Martins amongst them – mean that odds of 10-1 (Stan James) to win the tournament look a bit short, although there is enough quality in their ranks to succeed.

Cameroon are four-time winners, and are 11-2 third favourites for success with six firms including Coral and Paddy Power (8-5 to make the final with Betfair). Samuel Eto’o should again be key man, with Alex Song and Stephane Mbia providing midfield strength. Defensively they could be found wanting though – the error-prone Rigobert Song remains a key man in their back line. They should at least ease through Group D, which also includes Tunisia, Gabon and Zambia.

Other sides who could make an impact include Mali (28-1 Tote Sport and Stan James, 19-2 Betfair to reach the final), who include Freddie Kanoute, Mohamed Sissoko and Seydou Keita in their ranks; Gabon (50-1 William Hill), who have Hull striker Daniel Cousin in their squad; and Benin (100-1 Stan James and William Hill), who’s main man is Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Stephane Sessegnon.

There are relatively few – if any – recognizable names in the other sides, this being possibly reflected in the odds given by home-based firms. Burkina Faso are 66-1 (various), Zambia 100-1 (William Hill, 888Sport, Bluesq), Benin 100-1 (Stan James, William Hill), Malawi 150-1 (various) and Mozambique 200-1 outsiders (Stan James and William Hill).

Recommendations:

• Nigeria to reach final around 3-1 with Bet365

• Cameroon to win Group D 8-11 with Bet365