The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations started on Saturday with hosts Ivory Coast kicking the competition off with a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau. Since then three games have been played across group A and B, with all of the games providing early shock results.
Nigeria were held to a draw against Equatorial Guinea, Mohamed Salah’s 97th minute penalty salvaged a point for Egypt against Mozambique and Chris Hughton’s Ghana fell to a late defeat against Cape Verde.
While three games are happening today, we’re taking a closer look at two of the fixtures with Cameroon vs Guinea and Algeria vs Angola. Read on as we pick out our top tips and booking codes for these games:
Guinea to win, 3.80
Cameroon vs Guinea
Cameroon come into their opening game against Guinea as strong favourites, but their form prior to the tournament has left a lot to be desired. Just two wins in their last 10 games, as well as a disappointing 1-1 draw with Zambia in their warm-up game for the tournament doesn’t leave them in the best of places. However, Cameroon can never be underestimated coming into an AFCON tournament with the Indomitable Lions the second most successful side in the history of the competition with five titles.
Guinea are coming into the game as one of Africa’s rising stars with just one loss in their last six. An impressive 2-0 win over Nigeria in their warm-up game acted as a shock sign that Guinea mean business in this tournament. With one of Europe’s most inform players in Serhou Guirassy, who has scored 17 in 14 Bundesliga appearances, Guinea are certain to be a tough side for anyone to play against.
While Cameroon may be the favourites coming into this game, everyone expects this to be a tough game between two top sides. However, with Guinea’s fantastic recent form we’re backing them to take the three points in their opening game.
Algeria to win, 1.56
Algeria vs Angola
After a dismal title defence in 2021 which saw them go winless in their group, Algeria will be hoping they can put up a much better performance in this year’s AFCON as they search for their third title. They certainly come into the tournament in the form to do just this, as Algeria are unbeaten in their last 12 games across all competitions.
Angola will have to raise their level if they are to keep their current run of going unbeaten in their last five opening games, winning one and drawing four. They have beaten Algeria just once in their last nine encounters, and with a tough group that contains Mauritania and Burkina Faso they will want to get points on the board in their opening game as they look to progress from the group stage for just the third time.
Angola are sure to make this a tough game for their opponents, but Algeria’s squad contains a wealth of experience and quality that Angola will struggle to deal with. For this reason, we’re backing Algeria to get their first win in AFCON since their final victory over Senegal back in 2019.
Top Booking Code: 62B2Q2C
