2010 African Nations Cup betting preview

We might be experiencing sub-zero temperatures in the United Kingdom, something which will see a string of matches postponed as a result. However with temperatures surpassing thirty degrees in Angola, there’s little doubt that the African Cup of Nations will go ahead, with sixteen teams clashing swords and hoping to be crowned kings of the Dark Continent.

Ivory Coast are the pre-tournament favourites with the bookmakers, with William Hill going as short as 15/8 about The Elephants. You can get a best price of 5/2 with Stan James if you think that Didier Drogba and Co will be triumphant, although it’s worth noting that they haven’t won this biennial tournament since 1992. The Cote D’Ivoire have been drawn in the ‘Group of Death’, with Group B also including Ghana, another team who will be heading to South Africa later this year. Perhaps the latter are the value bet (7/4 bet365) to win the section on the basis that there’s little between the two teams and the Coast just have one or two more household names in their side.

The Ghanaians are 5/1 (Blue Square) on the outright market and have a striker in Matthew Amoah that might shine bright in Angola. The NAC Breda striker is 14/1 (William Hill) to be Top Goalscorer and could be worth a bit of each-way support at ¼ odds for the first four places. After all, you want to be backing players on this market that will feature at the business end of the tournament and Ghana playing the Ivory Coast means they can’t meet until the final. Didier Drogba (9/2 Paddy Power) will be looking to fill his boots and could be an each-way bet to nothing, although it’s possible the Chelsea striker will be rested if his team win their opening two matches.

The Cameroon are well-respected by the Ladbrokes traders, who go just 7/2 that the Indomitable Lions win for the third time in six renewals. Indeed, Samuel Eto’o and Co have a strong track record in this tournament and Sporting Bet’s 11/2 might not last when the tournament gets under way. Eto’o is clearly an important player for the team and is 5/1 (Blue Square) to win the Golden Boot as he did in 2008. However, it’s worth noting that Angola’s Manucho was runner-up two years ago, when he scored four goals for his nation. The former Manchester United striker looks interesting at 28/1 (Paddy Power), with the striker likely to play at least four matches.

Angola (20/1 bet365) are certainly not without a chance, especially as the hosts generally do well in this tournament. Egypt (2006) and Tunisia (2004) both recently triumphed on home soil, while every home nation has reached the knockout stages since 1992. They are likely to contest top spot in Group A with Algeria, with the bookies making England’s World Cup group opponents the favourites at 6/4 (William Hill). Angola are probably a touch too big at 9/4 (bet365), having shown immeasurable improvement since the country came out of civil war.