The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations is kicking off today and, here at BabaGol, the excitement is driving from Cameroon to São Paulo, via Seoul and Jerusalem, through London and back.
In past tournaments, we provided you with previews, match reports and detailed guides, we are delighted to start a predictions pilot here for AFCON 2021.
The idea is to offer a quick, insightful sense of every game taking place in Cameroon, for the curious fans and those who are looking for a direction for their sports betting fix.
If it works well, and you, the readers, like it, then we will develop this model throughout the year, all the way to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Important note: These predictions are only suggestions, and BabaGol is not responsible for the consequences, and the use of these suggestions are 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.
Ready? Keep it real, and let's go to AFCON 2021!
Are you ready? It's #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 kick-off day!#TeamCameroon v #teamburkinafaso (17:00 CET)#teamethiopia v #teamcapeverde (20:00 CET)#AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/EKnjgz9rmI
— BabaGol (@BabaGol_) January 9, 2022
Cameroon v Burkina Faso, 17:00 CET, Olembé Stadium, Yanoudé
As the host nation, Cameroon will enjoy support from the local crowd. And, although the Indomitable Lions haven’t excelled in recent years, they were given momentum from Samuel Eto'o's recent appointment to the Fecafoot presidency.
They enjoy a fairly balanced side too. There’s no real megastar, but with Andre Onana from Ajax in goal, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa in midfield, and the likes of Eric Choupo-Moting and Vincent Aboubakar upfront, they have a solid core to their team.
Burkina Faso is always a hard team to play, and a team that consistently score, mainly thanks to talents such as Bertrand Traoré and Gustavo Sangaré. But the Stallions received some bad news on Saturday, when five players and coach Kamou Malo tested positive for Covid-19, harming their preparations for the tournament's opener.
With home support, and the Burkinabe absences, a win for the locals is hardly a fantasy.
BabaGol's prediction: It will be a challenging fixture for the hosts, but Cameroon will narrowly win it. 1.
Bet365 odds: Cameroon 1.57 | Draw 3.75 | Burkina Faso 7.00
The home fans should give Cameroon a slight advantage in their opening match against Burkina Faso. (Photo: CAF Online)
Ethiopia v Cape Verde, 19:55 CET, Olembé Stadium, Yanoudé
Ethiopia returns to the AFCON after nine years, and do so as one of only three teams in the competition to endorse no players born abroad (along with Egypt and Malawi). The Walia Ibex have two legionnaires, Shemeles Bekele and Mujib Kassim, who ply their football trade in Egypt and Algeria, but their squad still lacks the depth and quality that players bring from the top professional leagues.
On the other hand, Cape Verde has an impressive squad, from in goal up to the strikers. Goalie Vozinha of APOEL Nicosia and full-back Diney Borges of FAR Rabat will take control at the back. At the same time, in attack, the intelligent Ryan Mendes (Al-Nasr Dubai), the talented Garry Rodrigues (Olympiakos) and the prolific Djaniny (Trabzonspor) will hunt the Ethiopian defenders for lost balls. Wubeto Abate's players will need to stay alert.
BabaGol's prediction: If Ethiopia can survive the first half without conceding, they can get something out of this clash. But if the first Cape Verdean goal comes towards the start, it could be a long opening day for one of the CAF’s founders. We believe Cape Verde will win by more than a goal. Asian handicap -1.
Bet365 odds: Ethiopia 4.90 | Draw 3.20 | Cape Verde 1.90
Ethiopia is excited for their first Africa Cup of Nations in years. Can they get a point or more from their first game against Cape Verde? (Photo: Kidus Yoftahe/BabaGol)
Football runs in our blood. For us, it’s not just a game. ⚽️ #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 | #AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/tPkmUjSO5r
— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 🏆 (@CAF_Online) January 9, 2022
