AFCON 2024: Expert Betting Tips by Luke Andrews

by Luke Andrews, 7 February 2024

The African Cup of Nations is a tournament that showcases the development of football in the continent, bringing together teams, cultures, and some incredible personalities in the game that have dominated the world of football. The 2024 tournament has been epic, with great highlights, goals, and surprises, and it wouldn’t be an African tournament without the dances and the noise! In this article, Luke Andrews looks ahead to the semifinals, sharing news, players to watch and the latest AFCON 2024 betting odds.

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is a biennial football competition featuring teams from across Africa. It started with an extensive qualification process involving fifty-four Confederation of African Football (CAF) members, divided into twelve groups. The top two teams from each group advance to the main tournament, which includes twenty-four teams. These teams are then organised into six groups of four. Within each group, teams compete in a round-robin format. The group winners, the second-placed teams, and the four best third-placed teams move on to the knockout stages.

In this phase, matches are decided in a single game, with the victors progressing and the losers being eliminated.

AFCON 2024 – Significance of the Tournament

The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) exemplifies the significant development of football across the continent. Starting with only three teams, it has expanded into a competition that now includes fifty-four nations, showcasing substantial progress in facilities and organisational structure. AFCON has carved out a unique identity characterised by the fans’ vibrant display of culture and passion. This is evident through their colourful attire, use of instruments like the vuvuzela (unfortunately), and distinctive celebrations in the stadiums and stands.

Is at an African competition without a vuvuzela 💪🏾#AFCON pic.twitter.com/qeXOr64pvH

— Dr KenNedy (@KennedyMCFC) January 9, 2022

In recent years, the standard of football has significantly risen, with many African players distinguishing themselves in top football clubs worldwide, particularly in the Premier League. Football has become a global phenomenon, evidenced by the fact that 50 players from the Premier League are participating in either the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) or the Asian Cup, both of which are taking place concurrently.

This global distribution of players has elevated the competition and professionalism in the tournament.

The hosts will play in Abidjan at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara. This sixty thousand sitter stadium is expected to be fully packed with the fans cheering their team to a potential final appearance on home soil. The other semifinal between Nigeria and South Africa will be played at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake, which is relatively smaller than the other with a forty thousand sitter capacity. The finals will be played at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in the capital city of Abidjan.

AFCON – Surprises So Far – Arab Giants fall

The tournament’s most unexpected development was the poor performance of Arab countries, notably Egypt, which holds the record with seven titles. Egypt was knocked out in the round of sixteen by D.R Congo, which limited the appearance of Liverpool’s star player, Mohammed Salah. Salah was dealing with an injury throughout the tournament, and there was hope that he would recover in time to play a significant role in the final, should Egypt have advanced that far.

The most shocking was Morocco, who came into the tournament as huge favourites after carrying the African flag exceptionally well in the last World Cup. Despite their heroics in football’s biggest tournament, they fell in round sixteen of AFCON at the hands of South Africa.

The defending champions, Senegal, also experienced an early exit, with Sadio Mane unable to lead his team to victory against the host nation in the round of sixteen. Similarly, Cameroon, despite being bolstered by the late inclusion of Manchester United’s goalkeeper, Andre Onana, saw their efforts fall short as he watched from the bench while Nigeria decisively defeated his team.

Senegal out.
Ghana Out
Egypt Out
Cameroon Out

All the Big boys are out of this Afcon. pic.twitter.com/PrWIELgmCV

— TWO TERTY (@TwoTerty_) January 29, 2024

These incidents highlight that the tournament’s knockout stages can be unpredictable, affecting even the most formidable teams, underscoring that success in such competitions involves more than just the reputation and skill of individual players

In this competition, a player has made a significant impact. Ronwen Williams, the goalkeeper for Mamelodi Sundowns, has etched his name into AFCON history by recording the highest number of saves (four) in a penalty shootout. Williams has been a critical player for South Africa, contributing to four consecutive clean sheets and helping his team reach the semifinals for the first time in twenty-four years. His performance has been outstanding, marking him as one of the tournament’s standout players.

AFCON Semifinal 1: Ivory Coast v Congo – Team Journey & Analysis

The hosts for the 2024 African Cup of Nations are having a magical ride with the football gods on their side. It would be an incredible story if Ivory Coast went all the way and won the title on their ground in front of their fans.

They started the tournament incredibly well, winning their first match 2-0, which raised the prospect for a successful campaign, but they went ahead to lose their next two games, including a 4-0 thumping by Equatorial Guinea. The Elephants finished the group stage third, qualifying for the knockout phase by the skin of their teeth as the worst third-placed team and changing their manager.

Afcon is the best football sport competition.
Look at the vibes of this Ivory Coast mascot 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/O04PIdoQfH

— ArsenalBambi (@arsenalbambi) January 30, 2024

The knockout has been nothing but a revelation of true spirit and determination fuelled by a motivated fan base to knock out favourites Senegal. Emery Fae’s side battled with nine men to beat Mali, scoring a ninetieth-minute equalising goal and scoring in extra time to reach the semifinal for the first time since 2015. They will pray for a similar performance as they went to win the title that year, having won three of their last four appearances in the previous four.

Ivorian’s top scorer – Seko Fofana (one goal) – anytime goal scorer, 23/5 & first goal scorer, 10/1.

Standing in the way of Ivory Coast becoming the first nation to win the competition on home soil since 2006 is the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Leopards have had an interesting story on their own to reach the semifinal for the third time since their nation was renamed.

🤝 1-1 vs Zambia 🇿🇲
🤝 1-1 vs Morocco 🇲🇦
🤝 0-0 vs Tanzania 🇹🇿
🤝 1-1 vs Egypt (8-7 win on penalties) 🇪🇬

DR Congo have reached the quarter-finals of AFCON without winning a single game so far 😅🇨🇩 pic.twitter.com/l4zVe9d5u8

— SPORTbible (@sportbible) January 29, 2024

DRC drew all three group-stage games, with the most impressive performance being their victory against Egypt before cruising 3-1 against Guinea in the quarter-finals. Their excellent performance in the last eight was the first time they won a match in ninety minutes, raising the prospect of disappointing the hosts.

Sebastien Desabre hopes to lead the Leopards against the Elephants they have failed to win against in the last four head-to-head (two draws, two defeats). They are in better form, having gone five games since their previous loss and are unbeaten in the competition, unlike the hosts, who have had two defeats.

Serge Aurier is a member of the 2015 triumph that included a victory against DRC in the semifinal on their path to success. The Galatasaray defender for Ivory Coast and Marseille defender Chancel Mbemba both played the full ninety minutes. Mbemba scored the first goal in their quarter-final triumph and will be out for revenge when the two sides meet, hoping to cause disappointment for the hosts.

Congo’s top scorer – Yoane Wissa – anytime goal scorer, 24/5 & first goal scorer, 10/1.

UK betting odds for Ivory Coast v Congo – Ivory Coast 5/4, Draw 2/1, Congo 3/1. Over 39/20, Under 4/9 (2.5 goals). Both Teams to Score, Yes 11/8, No 4/6.

“I predict this will go the host’s way as they have managed to get results even when they are not playing well. Seko Fofana doesn’t look like the best player with the ball on his feet, but his spirited performances have propelled his nation through the knockout phase.” – Luke Andrews, Betting Expert – UK Market.

Sebastien Haller has been receiving tremendous love from the home fans, and coming off the bench makes him more productive and brings an aura of belief to the team. If Congo is to get anything from this game, it will come from the Brentford star Wissa, who has carried his team to the semifinals.

AFCON Semifinal 2: Nigeria v South Africa – Team Journey & Analysis

Nigeria is the outright favourite, boasting a solid squad, and will make their fifteenth appearance at the AFCON semifinals. The Super Eagles don’t have a super tale in the last four, as they have been knocked out in five of their previous six appearances. The exception was in the 2013 edition, where they went all the way and won and lifted the trophy. Ironically, South Africa hosted the 2013 edition and now challenges them in the semifinal in a neutral arena.

Nigeria and South Africa have the most cleansheet at this years AFCON tournament

THIS MATCH IS GOING TO BE INSANE

Who is going to win this game? #Afcon2023 pic.twitter.com/nwLobehJNd

— D-TYCOON (@meet_tycoon) February 7, 2024

The battle between the South and West Africans has been relatively neutral, with both sides winning once and four draws. The record will favour one side as there must be a loser in this encounter; with the title decider just two games away, this game promises to be fiercely contested. The Super Eagles have been impressive in the competition, conceding just once in the opening match to draw 1-1 against Equatorial Guinea. They have since won four games without conceding, and with their impressive depth and experienced talent in the side, they will give their best shot to eye a final appearance.

Nigeria’s top scorer – Ademola Lookman (three goals), anytime goal scorer, 10/3 & first goal scorer, 7/1.

The Bafana Bafana have significantly impressed in this tournament as silent underdogs. They were not in the conversation for the title, but their progress makes one fancy their chances to qualify for the finals.

Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams wrote his name in the AFCON history books after saving four penalties against Cape Verde to earn his side a first appearance at this stage in twenty-four years. South Africa has never been to the finals. Revenge will be in their minds as Nigeria were the side that beat them 2-0 to deny them a chance to feature in an AFCON final.

South Africa boasts an impressive defence as, like their semifinal opposition, they have not conceded since they lost the opening match to Mali (2-0), keeping four shutouts in a row. Both sides have strong defences, with just one match for the Bafana Bafana’s previous ten games seeing both sides score. A likely scenario is highly likely as we expect both sides to keep a solid shape and be reserved with a penalty shootout, an excellent scenario for South Africa, which has a shot-stopper between the posts.

You have come very far at AFCON @BafanaBafana. You have inspired with your spirit, brilliance, and cohesiveness to get to the #AFCON2023 semifinals. Do your best and make us proud once again as you face Nigeria. Fight like warriors. Mzansi behind you!
pic.twitter.com/wHFq0EIWVS

— Minister of Sport, Arts & Culture (@zizikodwa) February 7, 2024

Nigeria’s William Troost-Ekong scored the winning goal when the two sides met in 2019, and having one goal in this tournament poses a significant threat. Victor Osimhen should be the primary focus, but he seems to have lacked someone to feed him. Atlanta forward Ademola Lookman scored all three goals for the Super Eagles in the knockout phase. For South Africa, the man between the posts, Williams, is expected to be their hero, having carried them to this stage.

South Africa’s top scorer – Themba Zwane (two goals), anytime goal scorer, 15/2 & first goal scorer, 16/1 with bet365.

UK betting odds for Nigeria v South Africa – Nigeria 11/10, Draw 2/1, South Africa 3/1. Over 39/20, Under 4/9 (2.5 goals). Both Teams to Score, Yes 11/8, No 4/6.

Nigeria has a very talented side led by Napoli attacker Osimhen. However, they have found it hard to feed their best player in front of the goal, and if they can get a good number ten, they can create chances to unlock a productive side of their game and lead them to victory.

South Africa is having the time of their lives, and they are leaving their hearts in their performances. Their keeper has been an incredible sight, showing class, and if he can keep them in the game till penalties, that would be their great route to victory.

It’s been a great tournament, with the football on the pitch reflective of the impressive development of the game on the continent.

The semifinals are expected to be exciting, especially with the host nation still competing. They have improved their game but haven’t given a classic performance. It would be exciting to hear the noises of the fans and how Congo will be prepared to break the hearts of the footballing nation of Ivory Coast.

Nigeria has a great weight on their shoulders to perform, while South Africa has been a free spirit gliding through the competition with smiles and dances. The Super Eagles must win this match in normal time as the Bafana Bafana will become favourites if they head for spot-kicks.

All stats are taken from SoccerSTATS.com and WhoScored.com, and the odds are from bet365 and are correct at the time of writing but can fluctuate, especially in play.

All tips are provided as entertainment only; the author’s opinion should not be considered financial guidance. Always bet responsibly; if you need help with problem gambling, you can find organisations that offer support in this page’s footer.