Africa Cup of Nations’ second day is here.
As the pilot column was successful yesterday (2/2 in our predictions), we continue to offer a quick and insightful look at every game taking place in Cameroon - for the curious fans and those looking for help finding a direction for their betting fix.
Important note: These predictions are only suggestions, and BabaGol is not responsible for the consequences. The use of these suggestions is the responsibility of the reader and user themselves.
Remember: Don't bet more than you can afford to lose. Know and accept the odds, keep sight of your chances of winning, and accept that your spending limits may be less than others.
Senegal v Zimbabwe, 14:00 CET, Keukong Stadium, Baffousam
Senegal are among the favourites to win this year’s AFCON, if not ‘the’ favourites themselves. With a balanced team full of quality, including Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy in goal, Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly in defence, Idrissa Gana Gueye from PSG connecting the dots and, of course, Liverpool superstar Sadio Mané out wide, anything but winning the title would be a disappointment. But, unfortunately for the Teranga Lions, both Mendy and Koulibaly tested positive for Covid-19 and will miss their team’s opener.
Luckily for Senegal, Zimbabwe isn’t in good form. Without magician Khama Billiat (Kaizer Chiefs) who recently retired from the national team and Marvellous Nakamba (Aston Villa) who’s out injured, the Warriors will count on Knowledge Musona to lead against 2019’s runners-up.
BabaGol’s prediction: Senegal to win, but not before Zimbabwe show their combative character.
Bet365 odds: Senegal 1.36 | Draw 4.50 | Zimbabwe 10.00
Le march VS Zimbabwe 🇿🇼
— Football (@FootballSenegal) January 9, 2022
Le Lundi 10/01 à 13h 🇸🇳 | 14h 🇫🇷@caf_online_FR #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 @CAF_Online #football #senegal @kkoulibaly26 @SMane_Officiel @KeitaBalde @IGanaGueye pic.twitter.com/nzZBoxYA3o
Morocco v Ghana, 17:00 CET, Stade Ahmadou Ahidjou, Yaoundé
Morocco are a serious contender this tournament, and are coming to Cameroon with high expectations - they’ve lost only once in 24 games under coach Vahid Halilodžić. Their squad has some top talent, including Yacine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi and 14 talented European-born players, but after Hakim Ziyech was left out again, because of a feud with the head coach, they still lack some creativity in midfield.
Ghana on the other hand are a bit of a mess when it comes to football. Although they lost 3-0 to Algeria in a recent friendly, they still have the talent, experience and ability to pull off a surprisingly positive tournament. With the Ayew brothers, Andre (Al Sadd) and Jordan (Crystal Palace), still there to push the team on and, together with the experienced Jonathan Mensah and talents of Kamaledeen Sulemana and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, if the Black Stars tick, they could take the country back to its glory days.
BabGol’s prediction: One of the toughest matches in the group stages, and a big match indeed. Ghana will pull themselves together and get a respectable draw against one of the strongest teams in the competition. A draw.
Bet365 odds: Morocco 2.50 | Draw 2.90 | Ghana 3.20
📸⚡ Last session before facing Ghana!#DimaMaghrib 🇲🇦 #AtlasLions #TeamMorocco #AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/NXVG8A6eG9
— Équipe du Maroc (@EnMaroc) January 9, 2022
Guinea v Malawi, 17:00 CET, Keukong Stadium, Baffousam
The Syli Nationale (Guinea) have an interesting squad, crowned by Liverpool’s casual midfield engine, Naby Keita. Malawi will be taking to the field in only their third-ever AFCON, with a team mainly based on local players. They could easily find themselves in deep water.
BabaGol’s prediction: Guinea will get the much needed three points here.
Bet365 odds: Guinea 1.57 | Draw 4.50 | Ghana 6.50
Comoros v Gabon, 20:00 CET, Stade Ahmadou Ahidjou, Yaoundé
Debutants Comoros have 24 players born and playing in France in their squad, and there is much enthusiasm surrounding them. Gabon is a complete wreck after a sexual abuse scandal in the football federation, combine that with a broken dressing room and positive Covid-19 tests for captain Pierre Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal) and Mario Lemina (Nice). A fertile ground for a surprising result.
BabaGol’s prediction: Here’s your first shocker this tournament. Comoros to win. You are welcome to throw tomatoes at us tomorrow evening if it’s wrong.
Bet365 odds: Comoros 3.75 | Draw 3.25 | Gabon 2.10
Photo via CAF Online official Twitter account.
