The first two AFCON groups conclude on Monday when Zimbabwe take on South Africa and Angola clash with Egypt in Group B whilst in Group A Comoros meet Mali and Zambia face off with Morocco
A reminder there are 6 groups, each containing 4 teams. The top 2 in each group will go through to the knockout rounds along with the 4 best third place finishers.
Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
Group B standings
Egypt have the maximum 6 points and are guaranteed a place in the knockout rounds. South Africa are second with 3 points and Angola and Zimbabwe both have 1.
Group B Zimbabwe 4/1 Draw 24/10 South Africa 7/10
An equalizer from Knowledge Musona deep into first half injury time earned Zimbabwe a 1-1 draw with Angola in their second group match. They are now tasked with having to turn Bafana over here in order to stay in the tournament, a draw could keep them in with some sort of shout of a best third place finisher place although that would require Zim to finish above Angola and a whole host of favourable results in other group matches.
Zimbabwe were very much the underdogs for their opening game against Egypt but despite having to defend for long periods they threatened a surprise with Prince Duve giving them a 20th minute lead. Zim held that advantage until the 64th minute when Egypt squared things up, a draw would still have been an excellent result but in injury time Zim conceded again and finished on the losing side, 2-1.
Despite losing their second group match 1-0 to Egypt Bafana are still well placed to advance to the last 16. A Mo Salah penalty late in the first half so Bafana beaten by Egypt but given their opponents were then reduced to 10 men it was something of a disappointment that they couldn’t find a way back into it in the second half.
Lyle Foster chalked up an assist and the winning goal as Bafana started with a 2-1 win over Angola. Appollis gave South Africa the lead in the first half but Angola didn’t need long to draw level. The second half saw Bafana have a goal chalked off by VAR and hit the woodwork before Foster curled in what proved to be the winner on 79 minutes with Moremi credited with the assist.
The Verdict
Zim have put in a couple of spirited shifts but they will need to step up on that again if they are to stay in the tournament. I think Bafana will be hungry to make sure they finish at least second in the group so it’s an intriguing match up.
I’m with 2-3 goals in total.
Bet: Multigoal 2-3 at even money with Sportingbet
Group B Angola 18/10 Draw 2/1 Egypt 16/10
Gelson Dala opened the scoring for Angola in their match up with Zim but they were pegged back just before half time, it finished 1-1 and they are in an identical position to Zimbabwe in terms of what could be need from this game to stay in the tournament.
Angola started their campaign against Bafana, there wasn’t much between the sides in the first half which saw South Africa take a 21st minute lead before Show pulled Angola level on 35 minutes. It was 1-1 at the break but Bafana had the better of the second half and found a winner on 79 minutes.
Mo Salahs spot kick saw Egypt edge out Bafana 1-0 to make it 2 wins from 2 and they became the first team to be assured of a place in the knockout rounds. Mohamed Hany was red carded for 2 bookable offences and the Pharaohs played the whole of the second half with 10 men but despite some nervy moments their defence held firm.
Egypt recovered from gong a goal down in the first half in their opener against Zimbabwe and it was two of their big guns who earned them a 2-1 win. Marmoush brought them level on 64 minutes and Mo Salah found the winner in injury time in a game where Egypt had passed up a number of decent goalscoring opportunities.
The Verdict
Egypt still need a point to ensure they top the group and the reward for that is a pairing with a best third placed finisher. A draw would suffice and I can see them benching a coupe of big names to be introduced if and when required. Meanwhile a point for Angola may not be enough, I think they will have chances and I’ll give another chance to Fredy to find the net at a big price
Bet: Anytime goalscorer Fredy at 15/2 with Sportingbet
Group A standings
Morocco top this group with 4 points, Mali and Zambia both have 2 points and Comoros have 1.
Group A Comoros 5.25/1 Draw 3/1 Mali 5/10
Comoros played out a 0-0 draw with Zambia in their second group outing. They had a first half effort ruled out by VAR but it was a game of few chances and the result probably leaves them needing a win here to stay in the tournament.
Comoros were involved in the opening match of the tournament against host nation Morocco. They spent the bulk of the first half defending but with Morocco missing an early penalty they made it to half time all square at 0-0. Morocco took the lead early in the second half and added another on 74 minutes and it finished 2-0.
In the second round of group matches it was Mali’s turn to take on the host nation and they responded really well to claim a point from a 1-1 draw. They conceded from the penalty spot in first half injury time but Lassine Sinayoko also converted from the penalty spot to make it 1-1 on 61 minutes and that’s the way it stayed.
Mali started their campaign on Monday against Zambia and after a goalless first half Lassine Sinayoko gave them the lead on 61 minutes. They were on course for victory until injury time when Zambia found an equalizer and Mali had to settle for a 1-1 draw.
The Verdict
I’m working on the assumption Morocco will top this group which leaves Mali in a strong position to claim second place although I wouldn’t completely dismiss Comoros who really need a win and a bit stumped by this one. Given he is on spot kick duty I’ll offer up Lassine Sinayoko as a token any time goalscorer pick.
Bet: Anytime goalscorer Lassine Sinayoko at 1.75/1 with Pokerbet
Group A Zambia 12/1 Draw 5.25/1 Morocco 1 / 5
Zambia’s 0-0 draw with Comoros in the second round of group matches was low on thrills and a defeat here could leave them in a precarious position in terms of their knockout round qualification hopes.
Patson Daka rescued a point for Zambia in their opening match against Mali. They fell behind in the 61st minute and looked to be heading for defeat until Daka headed in on 92 minutes and it finished 1-1.
Morocco’s world record winning streak of 19 consecutive wins was ended when they were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw by Mali in their second group match. Brahim Diaz gave the hosts the lead from the penalty spot in first half injury time but they also conceded from a penlalty just after the hour mark and were unable to find a winner.
Second half goals from Brahim Diaz and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi gave Morocco a 2-0 win over Comoros in their opening game. Soufiane Rahimi had missed an early penalty and Morocco had Achraf Hakimi on the bench but still chalked up a record 19th straight win.
The Verdict
Morocco will be especially keen to wrap up top spot in the group which in theory would hand them a more favourable task in the Round of 16. It was something of a surprise to see them held by Mali but we haven’t seen an awful lot from Zambia to suggest they are capable of springing a surprise.
I’m with Morocco to win both halves as if they lead at the break, Zambia will have to throw caution to the wind and could get picked off again.
Bet: Morocco to win both halves? Yes at 1.45/1 with Sportingbet
Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change