Our Guide to the AFCON Semi-Finals
It’s been a compelling Africa Cup of Nations with plenty of drama, and we’ve now reached the semi-finals stage. So, without further ado, let’s cast our eye on the final four teams, and suggest some handy tips for you.
How to watch AFCON 2022?
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.
Senegal enjoy a late flurry
The quarter-final should probably have been a little easier for Senegal, but they were forced to work hard to overcome a stubborn Equatorial Guinea in the quarter-finals. Indeed, Equatorial Guinea monopolised possession, but Senegal scored twice in 11 second-half minutes through Cheikhou Kouyate and Ismaila Sarr to advance to the semi-finals.
Once again, Sadio Mane – who had a concussion scare in the last 16 –played a key role, and he laid on an assist. The Liverpool talisman’s pace will no doubt cause problems for Burkina Faso, although confidence will be high in the camp after they edged past Tunisia in their last-eight tie.
Burkina Faso may feel like they are in dreamland, and they are currently a longish 5/1 with bet365 to knock out Senegal, and reach the Final. However, if you would prefer to explore the goals markets, then the same bookie has provided an intriguing price of 21/10 for there to be over 2.5 goals during the 90 minutes.
Mohamed Salah finding form for Egypt at just the right time
Earlier on in the tournament, it seemed that Mohamed Salah was rather subdued, and he was on the periphery of things, which is very much unlike him. Nevertheless, it seems that Salah has reserved his best form, and he has plenty left in the tank still. Against Morocco, he scored one, and set up a dramatic winner for Aston Villa’s Trezeguet, who duly obliged in extra-time. If Egypt are going to go all the way, Salah will have to keep up his good form.
Egypt’s semi-final opponents Cameroon, meanwhile, may be feeling a little fresher as they cruised past Gambia 2-0 in the quarter-finals. Cameroon, of course, are past AFCON champions, and so their credentials are unquestioned. And Paddy Power have priced them at a short 23/20 to reach the AFCON Final at the expense of Egypt. Also, the same bookie are offering a tasty looking 4/1 for AFCON top scorer Vincent Aboubakar – who has six strikes to his name so far this tournament – to net the opening goal of the game.
AFCON semi-final ties
Below are the list of the semi-final ties, along with dates and kick-off times, as well as odds that have been supplied by bet365. All times are stated in GMT:
Burkina Faso (5/1) v Senegal (4/5) Wednesday, February 2 – 7 pm
Cameroon (23/20) v Egypt (14/5) Thursday, February 3 – 7 pm
