Sunday sees the last set of matchday two group games taking place, with pre-tournament favourites Morocco amongst those in action.
Africa Cup of Nations acca of the day
Morocco to win
Morocco vs DR Congo
Zambia to win
Zambia vs Tanzania
Under 2.5 goals
South Africa vs Namibia
At 4/1, a £10 bet would return £50.99
AFCON acca of the day- Sunday 21 January
Morocco vs DR Congo
Morocco looked imperious in their Africa Cup of Nations opener, so will they make it two wins out of two in Group F?
On Wednesday, the Atlas Lions swatted Tanzania aside, prevailing 3-0, with Romain Saïss breaking the deadlock in the first half, pouncing on the rebound after Hakim Ziyech’s free-kick had been saved.
It took until the 77th minute for them to double their lead, but quick-fire goals from Azzedine Ounahi and then Youssef En-Nesyri rubber stamped the victory.
En-Nesyri’s goal was particularly strange; initially flagged for offside, the Sevilla striker was then substituted, only for referee Alhadj Allaou Mahamat to point to the centre circle following VAR reivew, meaning he was mobbed by his teammates from the bench.
Following their run to the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar, many are tipping Walid Regragui’s team to go all the way at this tournament, with Moroccan fans dreaming of seeing AFCON glory for the first time since 1976.
The last time the Atlas Lions won this competition, DR Congo were defending champions, known as Zaire back then, only featuring in two semi-finals subsequently, these coming in 1998 and 2015.
This year, les Léopards’ bid for glory began with a 1-1 draw against Zambia, equalising soon after going behind.
Cédric Bakambu’s low cross put on a plate for strike-partner Yoane Wissa to finish.
Most would expect Sébastien Desabre’s side to reach the round of 16, although defeat here would leave them needing to defeat Tanzania on Wednesday to achieve this objective.
These two teams met just under two years ago in the World Cup play-offs, drawing 1-1 in Kinshásá, before Morocco cruising to a 4-1 victory four days later in Casablanca.
Another victory for the North African side seems likely at Stade Laurent Pokou.
Morocco to win
1st selection
Both teams to score
2nd selection
Youssef En-Nesyri to score anytime
3rd selection
At 6/1, a £10 bet would return £70
Morocco vs DR Congo Bet Builder
Zambia vs Tanzania
Group F’s other game also takes place in San-Pédro, with both searching for their first victories of this edition.
Tanzania in fact have never won an Africa Cup of Nations match in their entire history, with this only their third appearance, earning on point on debut in 1980, before losing all three games in 2019.
The Taifa Stars were very easily beaten by Morocco as they began this campaign, but Adel Amrouche’s team will be hoping this is a more realistic chance to claim that illusive first-ever victory.
2012 champions Zambia meanwhile know a victory here would see them reach the knockout phase for the first time since that historic triumph, although their most-recent victory at this competition did come in that final in Libreville against Côte d’Ivoire 12 years ago.
The Copper Bullets’ winless streak at AFCONs continue on Wednesday, held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo.
They did though take the lead in spectacular fashion, Kings Kangwa scoring from miles out, having spotted the goalkeeper off his line, only to concede just three minutes later.
Nevertheless, Avram Grant’s Zambia should be too strong for Tanzania.
Zambia to win
1st selection
Over 2.5 goals
2nd selection
Patson Daka to score anytime
3rd selection
At 13/2 a £10 bet would return £75
Zambia vs Tanzania Bet Builder
South Africa vs Namibia
We’re turning our attention back to Group E for this Saturday night encounter between two sides who made contrasting starts on Tuesday.
16 January 2024 will forever more be an historic date in Namibian football, after they claimed their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations victory this week, causing an enormous upset against Tunisia in the process.
Deon Hotto’s goal, firing home with just two minutes remaining, securing one of the biggest upsets in modern AFCON history.
The Brave Warriors, who are making only their fourth appearance at the finals, know that even just a point from this clash in Korhogo would be enough to take Collin Benjamin’s team into the knockout phase.
South Africa meantime will feel this is must win, after they were beaten 2-0 by Mali in their group opener.
Hugo Broos’ side were presented with a golden opportunity to break the deadlock, referee Mohamed Adel pointing to the penalty spot in the first half, only for Percy Tau to shank his effort high into the night sky.
Amazingly, South Africa have only reached the knockout phase twice in 22 years, victorious in only three of their last 22 AFCON matches, defeating Angola in 2013 and then Namibia and Egypt six years later.
Including that 2019 clash in Cairo, the Brave Warriors are winless in ten meetings with Bafana Bafana, dating back to 1999, but have had few better opportunities to change that then right here at Stade Amadou Gon Coulibaly.
South Africa to win
1st selection
Under 2.5 goals
2nd selection
Percy Tau to score anytime
3rd selection
At 10/1, a £10 bet would return £110
South Africa vs Namibia Bet Builder
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