Punters usually avoid national team qualifiers and international matches generally. This is usually due to the inconsistent nature of the squad of players called to represent the National teams.
The varying form of players available to be called by national team managers also affects the team’s synergy and eventually, the results.
Africa’s biggest football showpiece, the Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) is set to take place in Cameroon in 2022.
As a result, the best African players, including Mohamed Salah and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are back on the continent this week to help their respective countries qualify for the tournament.
So far, Cameroon, Algeria, Mali, Senegal and Tunisia have booked their spots in next winter’s tournament.
Betting on matches involving African teams can be tricky and unpredictable. However, there are observed patterns from the previous qualifying games that could help punters cash out big.
Over 2.5 Goals In Matches Involving Nigeria
In recent times, the Nigerian National team boasts of a crop of young and enterprising players, especially in attack.
Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon are amongst some of the fastest wingers on the continent and difficult to cope with in offence.
Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen also has a ‘shoot on sight’ policy which allows him to get amongst the goals when featured. The 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup highest goalscorer has managed 4 goals in his last 4 qualifiers for the Super Eagles.
Three out of the four matches played by Gernot Rohr’s men have ended with at least 3 goals scored.
The former AFCON Champions take on Benin and Lesotho in their final qualifiers and need a point to qualify.
An over 2.5 goals bet on those matches looks sure to deliver great returns.
Goal/Goal (G/G) In Games Involving Côte d’Ivoire
The golden era of the Ivorian national team which included players like Didier Drogba, Yaya Touré and Solomon Kalu appears to be over.
The Elephants have a new crop of emerging talents, mostly consisting of players who have switched nationalities from countries in Europe. As a result, a number of these players are still trying to cope with the dynamics of African football.
Patrice Beaumelle’s men have it all to do in qualifying for AFCON. They sit atop Group K with 7 points based on the away goals rule. However, Madagascar and Ethiopia with 7 and 6 points respectively have a chance of usurping them.
Three of four qualifying games involving Côte d’Ivoire have ended with both teams scoring.
The 2015 AFCON Champions will face off against Niger and Ethiopia for their final qualifiers.
This is a smart option for punters interested in betting on the African qualifiers.
Over 1.5 Goals In Games Involving Gabon
This option is a must-consider for smart punters with eyes on the AFCON qualifiers.
After missing out on the 2019 edition, Les Panthères (The Panthers) stand a chance of qualifying for next year’s tournament in Cameroon.
The 2012 quarterfinalists are joint-top in group D with only one point separating Gambia and DR Congo.
Saint Etienne winger, Dennis Bouanga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are the main suspects for Patrice Neveu’s side. The duo will be key in helping Les Braziliens (The Brazilians) as they are also known to go past DR Congo and Angola in the forthcoming qualifiers.
100 per cent of the qualifying matches involving Gabon have recorded at least two goals.
Morocco To Win
The Atlas Lions are one of the football powerhouses in Africa, boasting a host of outstanding talents scattered across Europe.
The North Africans are the current winners of the 2021 CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) having defeated Mali in the final.
Hussein Ammouta’s men had an underwhelming 2019 campaign. Hence, they will be desperate to qualify for next year’s edition and make a solid statement.
Morocco needs a point to guarantee participation in the competition. They take on Mauritania and Burundi in the last two qualifying matches.
The former champions have won three out of four qualifying matches in convincing fashion.
This option is almost certain to deliver great returns.
Ghana To Keep A Clean Sheet
The Black Stars top group C with 9 points. However, there is no guarantee of qualification with South Africa and Sudan jostling for the two spots available.
Charles Akonnor has structured the team to be defensively astute, even at the expense of its offensive play.
Akonnor’s men have kept three clean sheets coming into this set of qualifying matches, including one against the Bafana Bafana.
The former African Champions play South Africa and whipping boys, Sao Tome in this window.
Backing Ghana to keep a clean sheet is high-risk but one with equally great rewards.
