The first two AFCON quarter finals takes place on Friday when Mali take on Senegal and Cameroon clash with Morocco
Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
Mali v Senegal
Mali’s Round of 16 clash with Tunisia went all the way to spot kicks and they held their nerve to win the shoot out. Woyo Coulibaly picked up a straight red card on 26 minutes and their race looked to be run when they fell behind in the 88th minute. However Lassine Sinayoko squared things up deep into stoppage time and with no further goals the contest went the full distance.
Mali were runners up to Morocco in Group A, the host nation finished 4 clear of Mali with 7 points, Comoros and Zambia both finished with 2 points but failed to make the knockout rounds.
They finished all square in all 3 of their group matches, starting with a 1-1 draw against Zambia before they put in a terrific shift to draw 1-1 with hosts Morocco. Their final group match delivered a dour 0-0 draw with Comoros.
In the Round of 16 Senegal recovered from conceding in the sixth minute to see off Sudan 3-1. Pape Gueye had them in front by half time and a third from Ibrahim Mbaye on 77 minutes sealed the deal.
Senegal topped Group D with 7 points, finishing above runners up DR Congo on goal difference. Benin were third with 3 points and also made the cut and Botswana failed to earn a point and have returned home. They began with a 3-0 win over then drew 1-1 with DR Congo and in their final group match they saw off Benin 3-0.
The Verdict
Mali have got staying power and a goal threat in the shape of Sinayoko but I feel Senegal have that extra class to edge this one by the minimum margin in regulation time.
Bet: Winning margin, Senegal by 1 goal exactly at 5/2 with Betway
Cameroon v Morocco
Cameroon ended South Africa’s hopes with a 2-1 win in the Round of 16. They were under pressure early on but goals either side of half time from Junior Tchamadeu and Christian Kofane put them in control. Bafana pulled a goal back on 88 minutes to set up a nervy finish but Caameroon held on.
Cameroon and Ivory Coast both finished Group F with 7 points but Cameroon had had to settle for the runners up spot on goals scored. Mozambique (3 points) were third and also qualified whilst Gabon failed to earn a point and have returned home. Cameroon came flying out of the blocks in their opening group match against Gabon and scored in just the fifth minute lead and that’s the way it stayed. In their second group match they played out a 1-1 draw with Ivory Coast and they finished with a come from behind 2-1 win against Mozambique
Morocco had to be patient to see off Tanzania 1-0 in the Round of 16 with the decisive goal coming from Brahim Diaz on 64 minutes. Diaz has now scored in every game so far and the assist for the host nation came from skipper Achraf Hakimi starting his first match of the tournament.
Morocco topped Group A, unbeaten with 7 points, Mali were second with 3 and Comoros and Zambia earned 2 points each and have exited the tournament. Morocco’s group matches delivered comfortable wins over Comoros (2-0) and Zambia (3-0) either side a 1-1 draw with Mali. The draw with Mali ended Morocco’s world record streak of 19 consecutive wins.
The Verdict
Cameroon changed coach just prior to the tournament and have done really well although they have only kept the one clean sheet and now bump the hosts who have conceded just once and that came from the penalty spot.
Morocco multi goals of 2-3 is my play
Bet: Morocco multi goals 2-3 at 1.35/1 with Sportingbet
Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change