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Everything You Need To Know About The Africa Cup Of Nations
The first major international tournament of 2022 gets underway this weekend, and there will be plenty of subplots and twists along the way. Here’s what you need to know.
How to watch AFCON 2022?
The group stage games will be staggered between 1 pm and 7 pm, while games from there on in, will be at 4 pm and 7 pm. The BBC will broadcast 10 games, while Sky Sports will show every match from Cameroon. For those living abroad, coverage will be split across three channels – beIN, Canal+ and SuperSport.
Alternatively, most of the leading bookmakers, including bet365, will have a live stream available, so you will be able to follow the action while on the move.
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When is AFCON 2022?
Cameroon will be the host nation for AFCON, and excitement for the tournament is palpable. Like most other events in 2021, the Africa Cup of Nations was pushed back a year due to the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first set of group matches takes place on Sunday, with the final staged a month later on 6 February. Cameroon will get the tournament underway, when they take on Burkina Faso in their opening Group A.
Tournament Schedule
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Who are the defending champions?
Algeria are the reigning champions, having lifted the title two years ago when they beat Senegal 1-0 in the Final. A deflected strike by Baghdad Bounedjah proved to be enough, and Ismael Bennacer was named as the Player of the Tournament for his exploits.
Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez is the undoubted superstar of this Algeria side that boasts plenty of experience. West Ham’s Said Benrahma was also called up for AFCON, and it will be fascinating to see how he gets on. Algeria are looking to clinch the Africa Cup of Nations for the third time.
They should get through their group, but their route to the Final looks rather tricky, as they could face one of Morocco, Ghana, Egypt or Nigeria in the quarter-finals.
When was AFCON first held?
This year will be the 33rd edition of the tournament which will be staged in Cameroon. Egypt – who are seven-time champions – won the first AFCON in 1957. Over the years, the tournament has increased in stature, and the number of teams ballooned to 24 in 2019.
Who will finish as the top scorer?
Ultimately, when predicting who will be the top scorer, you will want to get behind a player whose team will go deep in the tournament. So, naturally, there is a lot of hype surrounding the Premier League’s top scorer, Mohamed Salah, who is the favourite in this market with most leading bookmakers, including Paddy Power at 4/1.
However, there is value elsewhere. Sadio Mane is currently trading as the third favourite with Betfair at 17/2. Mane will be a constant menace, but sometimes, he is guilty of sticking away harder chances, and spurning more presentable opportunities.
If you are looking for a decent outside bet, then Bayern Munich ace Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is carrying odds of 25/1 with William Hill to finish as the top scorer, and he has plenty to offer. Meanwhile, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the tournament, so he is unlikely to have much involvement with Gabon.
Who will win the Africa Cup of Nations?
The Africa Cup of Nations looks like being a rather open affair, and it will make for compelling viewing. There will also be a phalanx of Premier League stars on show to keep you entertained. But who will win the tournament?
bet365 have installed Senegal as the favourites at 4/1, while you can get odds of 21/10 at Betfair for Algeria to reach the Final. Meanwhile, hosts Cameroon are at 9/1 with BetVictor to win the tournament.
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