African Cup of Nations - 24th - 27th Jan

[Gonkster]

Originally Posted by Gonkster

I have gone to Lay 0-0 at HT. I just can't see Namibia hanging on for 45mins.

That was close. Thank you Agogo

[kevshat]

I'm tempted by the under in the late game on Friday but I'm effectively on Mali as their qualification pretty much lies on beating Nigeria you'd think. I expect a tight game there but don't like the odds on the 2.5 and under 2 could be dodgy. I like the Ivories though.

4pts Ivory Coast -1.75AH vs Benin 1.98 Partybets

Ivory Coast look the strongest side in the tournament both on paper and from what we've seen so far. They didn't beat Nigeria as well as other sides have won in this tournament but the patches of quality they showed gave me the indication there's a whole lot more to come from Ivory Coast. Let's not forget they were forced into a change of coach only 9 days before this event started. Benin played well against Mali and were tough to break down but I think it was a case of 1st match of the tournament for Mali who will improve for the run. As will Ivory Coast and with players like Drogba, Kalou, Toure and Zokora in their side, look a class above Benin and I see them winning this by 2 goals at least and if one of those goals are early it could be 3 or 4.

[FxDi@mOnD]

Game: Ivory Coast v Benin
Day: 25 January
Time: 17h00
Stadium: Sekondi Sports Stadium


Ivory Coast go into their second group match as strong favourites against minnows Benin.
The Benin is living some troubls with coach Reinhard Fabisch and Mouri Ogunbiyi, that are probably "destabling" the team.
Benin started very bad by losing 1-0 against Mali and they could also losed by more then a penalty goal. Mali are strongest then Benin for sure.
Ivory Coast is a team with a huge potential. They show there potential against Nigeria, and specially Kalou with an amazing goal.
Drogba and Kalou makes all the difference. They are players on the same team and they know each other very well.
Drogba sai on press conference "Our group is one of the most difficult, and we have to focus on the games against Benin and Mali if we want to qualify," wich shows the respect that Ivorians have to Benin.

On the Head2Head Ivory takes advantage. The last match beetween both side was in 2005 and Ivory won by a clearly 3-0.

I think Ivory have quality to win this by 2-0 or even 3-0.
They will enter on the pitch with is mind on the first goal, and the high pressure could make the difference on the board.

Ivory Coast have also one of the best teams in competition and they are a serious candidate to win this tournament.
We can´t forget players such as Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue, Didier Zokora, Gneri Toure Yaya, Salomon Kalou, Didier Drogba or even Abdulkader Keita!

Pick: Ivory Coast -1,5 , -2 @ 2.00
Confidence: 7/10

[ukgaz]

Nigeria 2.02 @ Betfair

Nigeria need to win this win and it won't be easy. I expect a close game but Nigeria to win a close game

[Wanderer89]

Originally Posted by ukgaz

Nigeria 2.02 @ Betfair

Nigeria need to win this win and it won't be easy. I expect a close game but Nigeria to win a close game

Well they weren't really convincing were mali vs benin

[winningman]

Nigeria are the punter's favourite. My gut feel is Mali to come away with a draw and keep their chances alive. Need to do more research & read up on team news.

Quite confident on Ivory Coast. If Mali can score one against Benin, I.C should score 2 or 3 and clear their -1.75 handicap.

Again, need to read up on team news before making final pick

[Tulenos]

as I remember, and last night's matches proved it, the main problem in Africa is consistency - that said I fully expect Ivory Coast to win, not sure if they can cover the 'cap, the Nigeria v Mali game smells of a draw, maybe even 0-0 - with Nigeria pushing and Mali sitting back.

[Youssef]

I want to tackle this "Ivory Coast" thing, but I'm afraid if I do it in the "proper" forum it won't even be noticed! *LOL*

There is NO "Ivory Coast". It's Cote d'Ivoire "officially", and it has been for at least 2 decades. Otherwise, we could all feel free to using names like "Gold Coast" (Ghana), Black Rodessia (Zambia), Dahome (Benin), South West Africa (Namibia).. and for future reference.. Zaire (DR Congo), Upper Volta (Bourkina Faso), Rodessia (Zimbabwe), and maybe even Abessenia for Ethiopea! *LOL*

Since this adds nothing to the "topic" I think I had better stick my preview of tonight's games.

Mali V Nigeria is a game I would not bet on. With Cote d'Ivoire taking 3 points off Benin being a dead certainty, one must consider Mali could very well settle for the draw, while Nigeria may or may not want to win (depending on whthere the nice Greem Eagles want to stay in Ghana or fly back to their clubs early enough). I guess the same coul be said about Kanoute & Dirra in particular, bu I'm afraid Kanoute already answered that "verbally" by stating he wants to lift the trophy and then retire... although I saw nothing to back that claim on the field.

Both teams were poor (compared to what you would expect from this bunck of big names) in their rspective 1st games. Nigeria even have a strange coach (much like Michel of Morocco I guess) who plays everyone anywhere (ex: Utaka a right midfielder) just to keep them happy. Well, that doesn't do them any good, does it?

Cote d'Ivoire vsBenin is a banker. I dunno about the handicap, as some teams (Ghana) showed us they don't care about scoring goals. Some even showed they are not as good as they appeared in the 1st leg (Morocco), an some appeared to have a much better squad than the 1st round showed (Namibia & arguably Guinea).

Benin may or may not improve, but the Ivoirians will eventually triumph. Whether it be by 1 or 5 is yet to be seen. That's why I have already placed my bet(s) on the bankers of the 2nd round as a combo. Ghana already delivered. Cote d'Ivoire today, and tomorrow Egypt & Cameroon. That was the only way I could end up with decent odds without the high risk of waiting for someone like Udinese's Asamoah to spot the target for ONCE!

Cheers

P.S. Nothing to be proud of, but I got the opening 4 games of groups A & B spot on, while the opening 4 of groups C & D were utter disgraces to my reputation! *LOL*
Yesterday Ghana spot on and Morocco a complete disaster as well, so my hit rate is 50%. Nothing to REALLY go by by any chance.

[Tulenos]

@ Youssef: Côte d'Ivoire (pronounced /ˌkoʊt divˈwɑːr/ ' in English, IPA: [kot diˈvwaʀ] in French), or the Ivory Coast, officially the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire is a country in West Africa. The government officially discourages the use of the name Ivory Coast in English, prefering the French name Côte d'Ivoire to be used in all languages.

I feel the fact that Cote d'Ivoire is and sounds French and correctly should have that cap over o in the first word is the main culprit why many English-speaking people opt for Ivory Coast instead - the government may not like it, but it will not disappear overnight - not sure but even the Eurosport coverage presents them as the Ivory Coast if I remember well, at least the English one.
Well, not willing to argue, you are obviously right, only guessing why it doesn't work as should - btw, there is a similar thing with the Czech Republic all the way even almost twenty years after separation from Slovakia.

Anyway, as I wrote above, I quite agree with your insight into tonight's games

[Youssef]

LOOOOL!
This is the Africa I KNOW! Eventhough this time it's not Nigeria, Senegal or DR Congo.

Zambia players have threatene not to show up for the game against Cameroon, and have boycotted the training session yseterday to show their serious intentions.

The players are unhappy about the $2,000 each the government offered as a bonus prize for them for winning over Sudan, and insisted they get $2,500 each before they play against Cameroon.

The players are comparing what they've been offered to that of what other teams have been getting, and some even for just playing for their country (!!!!)

My Comment: I really do not understand how a player would want to get pai to play for his country. Yes, I know they do afterwards, and especially expect a good prize after achieving something, but basically it's an honour most people would die for.. just to be included in my country squad is what many players aspire for. What do YOU think? Would YOU refuse to represent your country if the pay wasn't enough for you??

[Tulenos]

- happens every now and then, doesn't it? The answer to your question is obvious - it's an honour, but the players (in Europe too) don't always think along these lines

[torres09]

their families are eating grass and tree barks back at home, when ur in such a situation, do u prefer money or glory?

[Tulenos]

Do you really think the families of high profile footballers are in such a situation, torres09? Anyway, it's far from relevant here

[the mighty rams]

Over 2.5 goals the pick for me in the Ivory Coast game. On there day are more than capable of scoring more than that themselves.

I WILL win this one!

[meatman]

Well I had originally decided to no bet in any of todays games but Nigeria's odds are becoming very appealing.

I'll have some more time to think about it

[meatman]

Nigeria -0.25 AH @ 1.86 Pinnacle 3/10

Yeh this price is now too high and despite Nigeria's problems I'd still say they have a decent chance of winning this match. Nigeria didn’t actually play too badly against the Ivory Coast, actually outplaying them in the first half before succumbing to an excellent Kalou goal. I do have my worries about their creativity at times, but now facing Mali it should be easier. To be honest I wasn't very impressed with Mali in their first match, only managing to beat Benin 1-0 and perhaps that was even a fortunate success. We have seen today just how bad Benin actually are, so now how will Mali do facing up to much stronger opponents? Nigeria need to win this game to get their qualification chances back on track and they have the ability. I wouldn't have backed them on a -0.5 AH because the fear of the draw is too high, but with 1.86 now offered on the -0.25 line, its impossible for me to resist.

[the mighty rams]

When i saw the fixture i thought tight Nigeria win. Then i saw the odds, i think you've just got to take them at that price.

£50 single Nigeria

[the mighty rams]

Change of mind. Having seen some of the worst refs ever so far in this tourno i fancy there to be over 4.5 cards in the Nigeria match at 5/6. Big crunch game for both teams, all physical players with refs throwing cards around left, right and centre. Surely its a cert.

[meatman]

Bore draw 0-0

pretty fair result really with defences and midfielders on top

[the mighty rams]

It was a real poor game. And funnily enough, probably the best ref of the tourno when i have the cards bet on.