The first two quarter finals in the Africa Cup of Nations take place on Friday when Nigeria take on Angola and DR Congo clash with Guinea
Looking ahead to Saturday where all eyes will be on South Africa's clash with Cape Verde it's worth mention a BoyleSports Price Boost …..... Bafana Bafana to lift the AFCON trophy was 12.00 now 20.00
We will cover that game in a separate preview but first up, it's Friday's match ups.
Nigeria 7/10 Draw 24/10 Angola 5/1
Nigeria disposed of Cameroon in the Round of 16 last Saturday with a 2-0 win. Lookman scored in each half with the second goal to seal the quarter final place coming in the 90th minute. Cameroon edged the possession stats but failed to trouble the Super Eagles keeper and it was fair result.
Nigeria were unbeaten in Group A with 2 wins and 1 draw although an inferior goal difference saw them finish as runners up to Equatorial Guinea with hosts Ivory Coast somehow surviving in third spot and Guinea Bissau never got in a blow. After a 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea in their opening group match Nigeria were 1-0 winners against hosts Ivory Coast and the Guinea-Bissau and they have conceded just the 1 goal in these finals so far.
Angola cruised past Namibia with a 3-0 win in their Round of 16 on Saturday. Gelson Dala added 2 more goals to his tally in a game which saw Angola have their keeper red carded after just 17 minutes. Namibia also picked up a red before the break either side of the 2 goals from Dala and Angoal added a third on 66 minutes sealed the victory.
Angola topped Group D, unbeaten with 2 wins and 1 draw. They finished 3 points clear of Burkina Faso with Mauritania on 3 points claiming a best third placed finisher place and Algeria were the big casualties, eliminated with just 2 points. Angola began with a 1-1 draw against Algeria and then held off Mauritania for a 3-2 win with Gelson scoring twice. In their final group match Angola scored in each half to see off Burkina Faso 2-0.
Verdict:
Angola have proved they can find the net and they now put that record up against a Nigeria side who have only conceded once.
I'm with 2-3 goals in total in regulation time
Bet: Goal range 2-3 at even money with BoyleSports
Note, odds quoted are for regulation time and are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
DR Congo 15/10 Draw 1.92/1 Guinea 9/4
DR Congo booked their last 8 place after getting the better of Egypt in a marathon penalty shoot out. They scored the first goal of the game through Meschack Elia on 37 minutes but Egypt were level before half time and although Egypt had a man sent off in extra time there was to be no further scoring.
DR Congo came through Group F as runners up to Morocco after drawing all 3 of their matches, 1-1 against Zambia and Morocco and then 0-0 with Tanzania.
Guinea booked their quarter final spot thanks to a 98th minute winner from Mohamed Bayo in their clash with Equatorial Guinea who played the bulk of the second half with 10 men. Guinea rode their luck with their opponents missing a second half penalty.
Guinea were drawn in a tough group alongside Senegal, Cameroon and Gambia. They secured a best third placed finisher spot after drawing 1-1 with Cameroon, edging out Gambia 1-0 before a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Senegal.
Verdict:
DR Congo are in the quarter finals despite their only victory so far coming in a penalty shoot out. However that record of not having being beaten could well stand them in good stead as the stakes get higher and higher.
It's a real head-wrecker in my book but perhaps Brentford's Yoane Wissa can help me out with a goal anytime.
Bet: Anytime Goalscorer Yoane Wissa at 3.75/1 with BoyleSports
Note, odds quoted are for regulation time and are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
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