The final round of group stage games in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations kicks off today, with all four teams from group A and B playing their final games.
These games are of huge importance with it being the final chance for teams to secure their place in the knockout rounds of AFCON. Leading into the game Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Egypt and Ghana are all still fighting to finish in the top two of their respective groups despite being strong favourites to get through the group with ease prior to the tournament.
With so much at stake for these sides there is bound to be drama and so we’ve picked out our top tips and booking codes for today’s action:
Ivory Coast to win, 1.40
Equatorial Guinea vs Ivory Coast
The Ivory Coast currently sit third in group A coming into this game while opponents Equatorial Guinea unexpectedly find themselves in top spot with one draw and one win.
Despite losing to Nigeria in their previous game, Ivory Coast were by far the more dominant side with 64% possession and 14 shots with 3 on target in the 90 minutes. However, a loss sees them come into this game with three points and while a draw would likely see them progress as one of best third-place sides, anything but a win will not do for a home crowd who were in low spirits after their loss to the Super Eagles.
Equatorial Guinea will be no easy game for the hosts though, with the unfancied side sitting top of group A with four points, having scored a group high of five goals. Equatorial Guinea need just a point to secure a fantastic qualification into the knockout rounds and they come into this game on the back of a 13-game unbeaten run.
While Equatorial Guinea will certainly make this a tough game for the Ivory Coast, we believe that the hosts will want to bounce back from defeat in their last game and take the victory in this one.
Victor Osimhen to score anytime, 1.60
Guinea-Bissau vs Nigeria
Victor Osimhen has had an impact on both of the first two games in this year’s AFCON tournament, scoring in the opener and winning the penalty that helped Nigeria to a 1-0 win over Ivory Coast in the second game.
The striker has scored three goals in his last six games for both club and country putting him in good form coming into this one. With him facing up against the worst defence in the entire tournament, with Guinea-Bissau conceding a tournament high six goals already, we fancy Osimhen to score yet again for the Super Eagles.
Mohammed Kudus to score anytime, 2.85
Mozambique vs Ghana
Despite missing Ghana’s opening game due to injury, Mohammed Kudus has still been Ghana’s standout performer in this year’s tournament. The West Ham United forward put his side ahead on two separate occasions against Egypt, but Ghana were unable to hold on to their lead either time as they had to settle for a draw at the end of the game.
With Ghana now in need of a win in order to qualify into the knockout rounds and avoid a second successive exit at the group stage, they will be looking to Kudus to provide the good again in this one. Six goals in his last six appearances across club and country certainly puts the forward in good form leading into the game, and with Ghana up against bottom of the group Mozambique we fancy him to score again.
Cape Verde to win, 6.50
Cape Verde vs Egypt
Cape Verde have been the surprise package of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations with them winning both of their games against Ghana and Mozambique, scoring five and conceding once in this time.
While Cape Verde have already secured their place in the knockout rounds, Egypt will be desperate for a win to avoid a group stage exit. Egypt have already been extremely open at the back in this tournament, conceding two in both of their games, and with them needing a win in this one we expect they will be even more open at the back. With this, we believe that Cape Verde will go on to win their third game of the group stage and qualify undefeated.
Top Booking Code: 639GHCC (odds: 41.5)
Group A Booking Code: 639GK56
Group B Booking Code: 639GM3T
