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Horse Racing Africa World Cup Qualifier Best Bets: Friday March 25th
The best of the best African sides will face off this week as five golden spots remain up for grabs ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
We have some interesting ties with huge implications such that many even hoped the draws for the play-offs were re-taken. One of two heavyweight sides in Cameroon and Algeria will take on each other for a coveted spot. Elsewhere, Mali will be looking to build on their recent momentum and upstage familiar opponents in Tunisia.
Perhaps the biggest talking point comes from the fact that friends will turn foes as Sadio Mane’s Senegal and Mohamed Salah’s Egypt will lock horns in a repeat of the AFCON 2021 final. To cap it off, a West African classic is on the cards when Ghana clash with Nigeria in a battle that has gone beyond football supremacy.
Africa World Cup Qualifiers Best Bets: Friday 25th March
- Mali vs Tunisia: BTTS – Yes (2.50)
- Cameroon vs Algeria: Cameroon Over 1.5 Goals (2.62)
- Senegal vs Egypt: Over 8 Corners (1.90)
- Ghana vs Nigeria: Nigeria to win (2.75)
Four-fold odds: 34.22
Odds above are via bet365 as of 14:00 on March 23rd 2022. Odds may now differ.
Odds below are available as of 14:00 on March 23rd 2022. Odds may now differ.
Mali vs Tunisia Best Bet
Fri, March 25th, 17:00 (UK Time)
Still riding on the momentum from the recently concluded AFCON in February, many have Mali as favourites for obvious reasons. However, it’s not a clear story. Admittedly, the Eagles are undefeated in seven out of their last 10 games on their home turf.
Moving further, they are undefeated in the space of 90 minutes for over nine months, spanning nine games in that time. At the AFCON, Mali only lost to Equatorial Guinea via penalties.
Both sides met at the AFCON and Mali came out on top via a 1-0 scoreline but that game wasn’t without controversy as Janny Sikazwe famously blew the whistle before 90 minutes. The stakes are much higher this time and I expect Tunisia to put up a good fight despite missing some of their big names.
On paper, Mali still remain favourites but I can see Tunisia and probably both sides getting on the scoresheet.
- Selection: BTTS – Yes
- Best Odds: 2.50 (bet365)
- Stakes: 6/10
Cameroon vs Algeria Best Bet
Fri, March 25th, 17:00 (UK Time)
Host-nation Cameroon made a good account of themselves at the AFCON and they were up there as the side with the most-attacking flair. Captain Vincent Aboubakar and Karl Toko Ekambi scored 13 goals between them; a feat no other duo has managed in the history of the competition.
If there was a prize for worst title defences, Algeria would surely be in there with a strong shout. Much was expected of them but they saw their 35-game unbeaten run end in ruins as they failed to win a single game at AFCON 2021. Regardless, we can’t write them off just yet.
Cameroon are as formidable as they come and they are even more difficult to beat at home. In the presence of their home fans, I am expecting a strong attacking performance from the Indomitable Lions, spearheaded by a goal-hungry Vincent Aboubakar
- Selection: Cameroon Over 1.5 Goals
- Best Odds: 2.62 (bet365)
- Stakes: 5/10
Senegal vs Egypt Best Bet
Fri, March 25th, 19:30 (UK Time)
Plying their trade at Liverpool, Mane and Salah would have been hoping to bid each other well at the World Cup. That could still happen, but now it’ll come at the expense of the other.
In an interesting repeat of the AFCON final, Senegal and Egypt will meet again but this time for a chance to represent the continent at the highest level.
Aliou Cisse led Senegal to a historic first-ever AFCON triumph and we can all agree it was well deserved by the West Africans. They more or less played the best football at the competition and held their own in a nervy final that was decided by penalties.
However, they must now overcome a stubborn Egypt side eager for revenge. Often accused for their laid back approach, one thing the north Africans know how to do is to get a result even when they play badly. I would have gone for a low-scoring affair but the odds were not so attractive, especially given the result when both sides met last time out.
It remains to be seen how this one would go but I expect both sides to play cautious in the first leg, prompting a good number of corners from defensive clearances and neutralizing opposition play.
- Selection: Over 8 Corners Combined
- Best Odds: 1.90 (bet365)
- Stakes: 8/10
Ghana vs Nigeria Best Bet
Fri, March 25th, 19:30 (UK Time)
A golden rule for tips and predictions is to always stay objective regardless of where your loyalties lie. I am not backing Nigeria to win because I’m Nigerian but simply because the pendulum points in that direction.
The Super Eagles easily have the best attacking line on the continent and that will be a major factor in how the game turns out. Perhaps more was expected from Nigeria at the AFCON and this could be a chance to show their loss to Tunisia was a minor blip.
Ghana had it worse than their neighbours and underwhelmed at the AFCON such that Milovan Rajevac was sacked. Depending on perspective, a new manager leading them into a game with high-stakes might turn out to be a disadvantage.
Nigeria have actually played against Ghana (56) more than any other side and both sides are well familiar with each other. The Black stars are unbeaten in their last four meetings against the Super Eagles but it could turn out to be a different story this time around.
Given the proximity of both countries, it is understandable why it goes more than just football and may the country with the best ‘jollof’ win.
- Selection: Nigeria to win
- Best Odds: 2.90 (BetVictor)
- Stakes: 5/10
