AFCON Groups E and F conclude on Wednesday which will finalise the draw for the knockout rounds and we take a look at all four games including Equatorial Guinea v Algeria, Sudan v Burkina Faso, Gabon v Ivory Coast and Mozambique v Cameroon.
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.
Group E Standings
Algeria have the maximum 6 points and are already assured of a place in the Round of 16 but may still need a point to secure top spot. Burkina Faso and Sudan both have 3 points and Burkina Faso have the better goal difference whilst Equatorial Guinea have yet to earn a point.
Group E Equatorial Guinea v Algeria
Equatorial Guinea are staring down the barrel after losing both their matches, most recently going down 1-0 to Sudan after coco scored an own goal on 64 minutes. They went down 2-1 to Burkina Faso in the first action of the tournament. After a goalless first half they were reduced to me on 50 minutes when Basilio Ndong was red carded but their defence held out before Marvin Anieboh gave them the lead on 85 minutes. However the ten men conceded twice in injury time, on 95 minutes and 98 minutes and Burkina Faso snatched a 2-1 win.
Algeria are through with 2 wins from 2 and they have yet to concede. A first half penalty from Riyad Mahrez was enough to give them a 1-0 win over Burkina Faso last time out and with a healthy goal difference topping this group is now at their mercy. Algeria coasted to a 3-0 win over Sudan in their opening game. Riyad Mahrez scored twice and Ibrahim Maza sealed victory late on.
The Verdict
By my reckoning Equatorial Guinea have to win and hope Sudan lose in the other group match to sneak into third. If Burkina Faso win their game Algeria could still need a point to finish top although their goal difference is healthy and they could still possibly top the quartet with a narrow defeat. With more than a degree of guesswork I’ll take a chance with under 1.5 goals.
Bet: Total goals under 1.5 at 1.83/1 with Pokerbet
Group E Sudan v Burkina Faso
Sudan’s 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea courtesy of a 74th minute own goal has revived their hopes of a prolonged stay in the tournament. In their opening match Sudan were huge underdogs for the clash with Algeria and after conceding in just the second minute and two more goals in the second half they went down 3-0.
Burkina Faso still have work to do after going down 1-0 to Algeria in their second group match. They satged an amazing late comeback to get the better of Equatorial Guinea 2-1 in their opening game. Their opponents were reduced to 10 men early in the second half but Burkina Faso still fell behind on 85 minutes. Georgi Minoungou came up with the equalizer on 95 minutes and three minutes later and just before the final whistle Edmond Tapsoba headed in the winner.
The Verdict
Sudan may still need another point to make sure of at least a best third place finisher place but only if Equatorial Guinea turn Algeria over whilst a win for either side here would guarantee a runners up spot. I can see why the draw is trading so short
Bet: Match result draw at 19/10 with Pokerbet
Group F Standings
Ivory Coast and Cameroon both have 4 points and identical goals scored / conceded records. Mozambique are third with 3 points and Gabon have yet to open their account.
Group F Gabon v Ivory Coast
In order to have any chance of staying in the tournament Gabon need to here, finish above Mozambique and then hop that’s enough to go through as a best third place finisher. After their 3-2 defeat to Mozambique in their second outing their race appears to be run
Despite goals from Emerick Aubameyang and Alex Moucketou-Moussounda they were always chasing Mozambique who went into a 2-0 lead and there was to be no way back in a terrific game. In their opening match Gabon conceded after just 5 minutes of their 1-0 defeat to Cameroon.
Amad Diallo has been on target for Ivory Coast in both matches so far, most recently giving them the lead against Cameroon who hit back through a Konan own goal to square things up at 1-1 and that’s the way it finished. Diallo also impressed in grabbing the only goal in his sides opening 1-0 win over Mozambique.
The Verdict
I’ll chance my arm with both teams to score in a game of 3 goals or more.
Bet: Both teams to score and total goals, yes and over 2.5 at 17/10 with Pokerbet
Group F Mozambique v Cameroon
Faizal Bangal and Geny Catamo put Mozambique 2-0 up in their second match against Gabon. The deficit was halved by the break but Diogo Calila made it 3-1 early in the second half and although Gabon made it 3-2, Mozambique held on for their first ever AFCON Finals win.
Mozambique went down 1-0 to Ivory Coast in their opening game. It was 0-0 at half time but soon after the restart Cameroon took the lead and that’s the way it stayed. Mozambique were on the back foot for much of the game but came close to an equalizer late on but on the balance of play they could have few complaints.
Cameroon’s 1-1 draw with Ivory Coast was high on drama in the second half. They needed an own goal to equalize and both sides had chances late on. Four points should easily be enough to go through but Cameroon could yet top the group or finish as a best third place finisher. Cameroon came flying out of the blocks in their opening group match against Gabon and Karl Etta Eyong gave them a fifth minute lead and that’s the way it stayed.
The Verdict
Mozambique may already have done enough to qualify whilst Cameroon will be targeting top spot. I’ll look for a goalscorer and Cameroon’s Bryan Mbuemo gets the vote.
Bet: Anytime goalscorer Bryan Mbuemo at 1.75/1 with Betway
Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change