AFCON 2024 Predictions & Betting tips

Find our free predictions on the African Cup of Nations final winner, as well as experts advice and betting tips on all of the matches of AFCON 2023 (played in 2024) - all the information you could need for your sports betting.

Africa Cup of Nations football prediction: presentation of the AFCON 2024

Don’t miss SportyTrader’s coverage of the African Cup of Nations at the beginning of 2024! From 13 January to 11 February, the 34th edition of the African Cup of Nations will be held in Côte d'Ivoire. It’s a great opportunity to place bets, compare odds and follow all the matches live.

After Senegal's long-awaited first title in 2022, the finest African nations will be competing to win the trophy and emerge as the best current team on the continent.

How do you bet on the African Cup of Nations? What is the most important information to know regarding the competition? Everything is explained below. Get your AFCON predictions ready, as the tournament promises to be hotly contested!

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AFCON 2024 Winner prediction: who will win the African Cup of Nations?

Held in Côte d'Ivoire, the 2023 African Cup of Nations (played in 2024) should be favourable to teams from sub-Saharan Africa.

As we are wont to say, and as is often the case, the venue of the African Cup of Nations is often decisive in determining the winners of the event. Four nations stand out this year: hosts Côte d'Ivoire, of course, but also Cameroon, Senegal and Nigeria.

With players like Haller, Zaha, Sangaré, Kessié, Seko Fofana, Ndicka, Aurier, and above all the unfailing support of their fans, the Elephants of Côte d'Ivoire are among the top four favourites for the competition. So you can put your money where your mouth is.

Aside from the host country, Aliou Cissé's Senegal side remains one of the most talented and balanced in the tournament, as does Rigobert Song's Cameroon side. Nigeria, on the other hand, are more forward-thinking, with Osimhen, Boniface and Moffi sure to net plenty of goals. However, their lack of dependable defensive options may limit just how far they can ultimately go.

Be that as it may, since a choice has to be made, here is our most reliable prediction for the 2024 African Cup of Nations: a double chance of victory for Cameroon or Côte d'Ivoire.

AFCON 2024 prediction - odds on the favourites to win the African title

We're down to the championship match in the 2024 African Cup of Nations! Here's how things stack up ahead of the final:

There's also the third-place match to take into account. Here are the latest odds for which team will win bronze:

Odds from bet365.

To find out all the Africa Cup of Nations odds, be sure to check out our AFCON 2023 odds comparator. We give you the best odds available from the different bookmakers for each match and each bet.

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Our AFCON 2024 groups predictions

In addition to making your football predictions on the winner of the competition, you can also predict how the group stage will play out for the 2024 African Cup of Nations. Who will qualify? Who will top their group? Which teams will fail even before the knockout stages? Here are the predictions from our African football experts.

Group A | Côte d'Ivoire - Equatorial Guinea - Guinea Bissau - Nigeria

Group stage final standings:

1. Equatorial Guinea: 7 points; +6 goal differential
2. Nigeria: 7 points, +2 goal differential
3. Ivory Coast: 3 points
4. Guinea-Bissau: 0 points

Group A recap:  The big news of Group A was the host nation's capitulation in the final group stage match. Sitting on three points, Ivory Coast were looking at a situation where they could be facing early elimination if they didn't get a result against Equatorial Guinea. What would follow was an unbelievable 4-0 win for Equatorial Guinea as the Elephants conceded three goals in the final 20 minutes of play. The reaction to the defeat was swift and harse as manager Jean-Louis Gasset was sacked despite his team technically still being alive in the tournament. The Ivory Coast have a chance for redemption as they snuck into the round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams, presenting a bizarre situation in which they rushed to sign a replacement manager in the form of Emerse Fae. Equatorial Guinea deserve massive credit for topping an AFCON group for the first time in their nation's history. They'll be hoping to replicate their 2015 run which saw them finish fourth as the host nation. 

In this first group, the situation is clear: the Ivorians and the Nigerians are considerable favourites for the top two qualification places to advance directly to the Round of 16 (remember that it is possible to qualify for the next round by finishing among the best third-placed teams in the group phase, as we shall see below).

As one of the big favourites for the title this year, the Elephants and Super Eagles should have little to fear from the two Guineas. Despite some talented players such as Alex Balboa for Nzalang Nacional and Carlos Mané and Edgar Ié for the Djurtus, the two behemoths of African football have more than enough to take the top two places. Our prediction for Group A: Côte d'Ivoire and Nigeria qualify.

Bet on Group A

Group B | Cape Verde - Egypt - Ghana - Mozambique

Group stage final standings:

1. Cape Verde: 7 points
2. Egypt: 3 points
3. Ghana: 2 points; -1 goal differential
4. Mozambique: 2 points; -3 goal differential

Group B recap: Liverpool star Mo Salah suffering an injury in the first half of the team's first group stage game was a massive hit to the Pharaohs' morale. The 31-year-old will not return to the 2024 AFCON as he has already arrived in Merseyside for treatment. Cape Verde were the surprise of this group, topping African powerhouseses Egypt and Ghana to win the the group for the first time in their nation's history. The Ghanaians will be headed home with a bitter taste in their mouths after a massively disappointing campaign. While Egypt are without their best players and talisman in Salah, they shouldn't be counted out as there is more than enough talent in this team to lift the cup. There's a reason why this team has made the final in two of the last three editions of the tournament.

In Group B, a close eye must be kept on Ghana. The Black Stars have a habit of performing well in African Cup of Nations tournaments played close to home, and this year's edition in the neighbouring country should be no exception. Nuamah, Kudus, Baba, Djiku, Ayew... the talent is certainly there and they could do some damage during the group phase.

Along with the Ghanaians, Mo Salah's Egyptians are also expected to be among the top two, although Jovane Cabral's Cape Verde and Mexer's Mozambique have a few trump cards up their sleeves. In any case, here is our prediction for Group B: qualification for Ghana and Egypt.

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Group C | Cameroon - Gambia - Guinea - Senegal

Group stage final standings:

1. Senegal: 9 points
2. Cameroon: 4 points, -1 goal differential, 5 goals scored
3. Guinea: 4 points, -1 goal differential, 2 goals scored
4. Gambia: 0 points

Group C recap: Defending champions Senegal took care of business in comfortable fashion as they cruised through the group stage with a perfect three wins from three. They're looking like a great pick to make another deep run as they try to become the first nation since Egypt in 2010 to defend their AFCON title. Cameroon was the other big story from Group C as they left it until the literal final minutes of the group stage before securing their spot in the knockout rounds. The Indomitable Lions conceded in the 85th minute to trail Gambia 2-1 before equalizing in the 87th and scoring the winner in thrilling fashion in the 91st minute. This saw them leapfrog Guinea, who lost 2-0 to Senegal, for second-place in Group C. Despite the loss on the final day, Guinea's four points was enough to see them qualify for the knockout stages as one of the best third-placed teams.

With Cameroon looking strong on paper and Senegal the defending champions, Guinea and Gambia are likely to struggle in Group C of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. 

Whether we are talking about the goalkeepers (Onana or Ondoa on one side, Mendy and Diaw on the other), the defences (Moukoudi, Wooh, Castelletto for Cameroon, Koulibaly, Diallo, Niakhaté for Senegal) or the midfielders and forwards, who need no introduction, the Indomitable Lions and the Lions of Teranga are clearly above the rest in this group. Vincent Aboubakar and Sadio Mané should lead their side into the last 16. Our prediction for Group C: Senegal and Cameroon qualify.

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Group D | Algeria - Angola - Burkina Faso - Mauritania

Group stage final standings:

1. Angola: 7 points
2. Burkina Faso: 4 points
3. Mauritania: 3 points
4. Algeria: 2 points

Group D recap: 117th-ranked Angola have provided one of the shocks of the tournament so far as they topped Group D ahead of 2019 champions Algeria and 57th-ranked Burkina Faso. This is the second time in Angola's history that they have topped their AFCON group while their best ever finish was a quarter-finals appearance in 2008 and 2010. Burkina Faso are looking in fine form as they look to replicate their 2017 and 2021 performances which saw Les Etalons finish third and fourth, respectively. Algeria have also been one of the big surprises of the 2024 AFCON, but for all the wrong reasons. Les Fennecs simply could not get it going as their usually talented attack mustered only three goals en route to a group stage exit.

As one of the top favorites to claim the 2024 African Cup of Nations in Côte d'Ivoire, it would be abnormal not to see the Fennecs emerge from their group containing Angola, Burkina Faso and Mauritania. With the likes of Mandrea, Bensebaini, Aouar, Mahrez and Gouiri, Algeria have some of the best players in Africa and look capable of taking one of the first two qualifying places.

Burkina Faso's Etalons are a likely candidate to join Algeria in the Round of 16. With Koffi in goal and Abdoul Tapsoba up front, the Burkinabe offer guarantees that the Mauritanians do not necessarily have. Angola, on the other hand, should have a good fight on their hands with Burkina Faso, and one of these two nations could be among the best third-placed teams in the group. Our prediction for Group D: Algeria and Burkina Faso qualify.

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Group E | Mali - Namibia - South Africa - Tunisia

Group stage final standings:

1. Mali: 5 points
2. South Africa: 4 points; +2 goal differential
3. Namibia: 4 points; -3 goal differential
4. Tunisia: 2 points

Group E recap: The 2024 AFCON proved to be a huge disappointment for Tunisia as they failed to qualify from the group stage for the first time since 2013. The misfiring Eagles of Carthage were shutout in two of their three matches, managing to net only a single goal in the tournament. It was the lowest goal tally the nation has posted in over 20 years. South Africa and Namibia will be pleased with their performances as they both qualify for the round of 16 on four points. Mali secured the top position with a 0-0 draw on the final matchday as South Africa failed to beat Tunisia.

With Mali, South Africa and Tunisia, Group E could be described as the group of death at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

With players like Koné and Koita up front, Bissouma, Camara and Samassékou in midfield, and Haïdara and Hamari Traoré at the back, Mali should be able to get through. Bafana Bafana and the Eagles of Carthage will then battle it out for the second qualifying berth. Our prediction for Group E: Mali and Tunisia qualify.

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Group F | R.D Congo - Morocco - Tanzania - Zambia

Group stage final standings:

1. Morocco: 7 points
2. DR Congo - 3 points
3. Zambia - 2 points
4. Tanzania - 2 points

Group F recap: Morocco did what was expected of them by topping Group F with two wins and a draw. A 3-0 win over Tanzania to open the tournament was followed up with a 1-1 draw with DR Congo and a 1-0 win over Zambia to ultimately secure first-place. The Atlas Lions are the current bookmakers' favorites to lift the cup as they seek their first AFCON title since 1976. DR Congo might count themselves somewhat fortunate to have finished in second-place despite earning just three points by way of three consecutive draws. Still, Sebastien Desabre's men are a well-drilled unit and will be tough to break down in the knockout rounds. Not much was expected of Zambia and Tanzania as they both exit in the group stages although they did at least manage to earn a few points in the process.

With little surprise in store, Morocco and the Democratic Republic of Congo are the big favourites in Group F of the Africa Cup of Nations. Faced with their neighbours Tanzania and Zambia, Congo Kinshasa should be able to progress without too much difficulty. They are an experienced side, with players like Mbemba, Masuaku, Moutoussamy, Kakuta, Bakambu and Elia among their ranks. 

For their part, Morocco, semi-finalists at the last FIFA World Cup, are eagerly awaited and should not disappoint. As in Qatar, the talent will be there (En-Nesyri, Ziyech, Amrabat, Ounahi, Hakimi, Saïss, Bono), and the experience accumulated during the last World Cup could count in the decisive moments. Our prediction for Group F: qualification for the Democratic Republic of Congo and Morocco.

Bet on Group F

If you agree with our experts' predictions for this group stage of the African Cup of Nations, don't hesitate to try a few bets on qualification. Overall, the odds offered on the matches should also be good during this first phase of the tournament. It would be a shame not to take advantage of them, given the welcome bonuses currently on offer on the market.

2024 African Cup of Nations Final

We're ready to crown a winner in the 2024 African Cup of Nations! Will the host nation be able to take it down or will the favorites cruise to success? Check out the match below as we highlight the storylines at play.

• Nigeria vs Ivory Coast - 11 Feb, 2024
• (Third-place match) South Africa vs DR Congo - 10 Feb, 2024

Nigeria vs Ivory Coast sees the tournament favorites in Nigeria looking to secure their fourth African Cup of Nations crown while the Ivory Coast target their third title. Nigeria received a favorable draw to the final but have done what has been required of them. Nigeria were certainly given a scare in the semi-finals as they were taken to extra-time for the first time this tournament. The Super Eagles were able to keep their nerve, emerging with a 4-2 win via penalty shootout over a plucky South African team. Ivory Coast come into this matchup as the slight underdogs despite having the crowd behind them. It's been a whirlwind tournament for the Elephants who went from thinking they had been eliminated in the group stage, sacking their manager mid tournament, and now with a chance to lift the famous trophy on home soil. Should they prove successful, it will mark the first time the Ivory Coast have won the competition since 2015 and would certainly go down as the sweetest one yet.

DR Congo vs South Africa sees both nations looking for a consolation bronze medal after both being eliminated in the semi-final. It's always difficult to gauge third-place matches as it requires an accurate reading of exactly how motivated both sides will be. South Africa can capture third-place for the first-time since 2000 while a win for DR Congo would be the third time they've secured bronze and the first since 2015. Whatever happens, both nations can be proud of their performance at this tournament. South Africa came in as longshots but Bafana Bafana showed tremendous spirit and grit to cause a number of upsets, including arguably the biggest of the competition when they eliminated tournament favorites Morocco in the round of 16. DR Congo came into this edition of the AFCON as a popular dark horse pick and they proved why with their performance. The Leopards had amazingly drawn their first four matches of the competition and still advanced to the final four where their run would ultimately be ended by the host nation.

See the AFCON semi-final odds here!

Beginner punters - How does AFCON 2024 work?

As in the last edition, the 2024 African Cup of Nations will pit 24 qualified teams against each other. From 13 January to 11 February 2024, the competition is divided into two phases: the group phase and the knockout phase.

The group phase divides the African teams into 6 groups of 4, in which they must finish in the top two places to reach the last 16.

There is also the possibility of qualifying as the best third-placed team. Four of the six nations that finish third in their group will be eligible for the rest of the competition. 

The second, knockout phase is then very traditional, with single matches in the last 16, followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals, a match for third place and finally the grand final.

If you had to sum it all up in a few points, here's what you need to remember: 

• 24 qualified teams
• Group stage (6 groups of four)
• Top 2 teams in each group qualify for the round of 16
• 4 best third-placed teams (out of 6) qualify for the last 16
• Knockout matches from the round of 16 to the final
• Extra time and penalty shoot-outs in the event of a tie from the round of 16 onwards
• Third-place is determined by a match between the losing semi-finalists

In the end, the African Cup of Nations is organised in much the same way as the European Championships, so there should be no misunderstandings on the punters' side. Keep this format of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations in mind when making your predictions. The inclusion of the four best third-place qualifiers can influence how certain teams approach matches.

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How do you make a good prediction on an African Cup of Nations football match?

Would you like to predict the 2024 African Cup of Nations like an African football expert? There are a few tips you need to know.

Here, according to SportyTrader's experts, is what you need to do to ensure you are placing the best possible bets on the competition. Making informed and calculated predictions on the African Cup of Nations is undoubtedly the key.

• Watch the latest matches played in Africa
• Study the list of absentees for each AFCON match
• Know exactly what is at stake in the match
• Take into account the history of head-to-head meetings
• Take note of the venue and time of the African Cup of Nations match

5 basic practices that you absolutely must adopt before predicting African Cup of Nations matches, otherwise you could be in for some nasty surprises. 

For more details on each of these five tips, please read on. The SportyTrader editorial team provides a brief explanation for each.

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Tip 1: Watch the latest matches played in Africa

Naturally, the first thing you’ll want to do when predicting the result of an AFCON fixture is to watch recent matches played by the two teams.

You need to note the scores and results obtained in the last matches (wins, draws, defeats), but more importantly the statistics obtained in the game. And don't hesitate to re-watch the matches for a closer examination.

Does the team have several clean-sheets to its name? Has it shone offensively recently? What about the number of chances created and conceded? Is the team creating a high number of expected goals? Is the team more focused on possession or is it a counter-attacking side?

The answers to these questions will give you an overall picture of each African team. Don't underestimate them in your analysis!

Tip 2: Study the list of absentees for each AFCON match

Another good idea during the African Cup of Nations is to take note of any players absent for the match you want to bet on. 

As you know, modern football relies heavily on individuals, especially when the matches are expected to be tough and tense, as is often the case at the African Cup of Nations. So watch out for any key absences!

For example, if a team's first-choice goalkeeper is injured or suspended, if a team's top scorer is ill, or simply if some of the usual substitutes are unavailable, it's best to avoid betting heavily on that country's victory.

If Osimhen isn't there for Nigeria, for example, or Mané for Senegal, the difference will quickly become apparent. So get into the habit of studying the injury/suspension list for all the matches you are interested in betting on.

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Tip 3: Know exactly what is at stake in the match

Whether it's the first group match, a match on the final day or a knockout match, the stakes will not necessarily be the same for the teams taking part in this African Cup of Nations. So be careful when you place your bets!

For example, in the first group match, you might expect both teams to play their cards close to their chest in a bid to avoid starting the tournament off with a defeat. This will not necessarily be the case on the final matchday, where a team might have to win to qualify for the last 16, or even where one nation is already certain of elimination.

To find the right prediction on a AFCON 2023 match, make sure you know which phase of the tournament it is, and how important the match is for the two teams. Once again, you'll avoid some of the pitfalls that are always unpleasant.

Tip 4: Consider the history of head-to-head matches

African football is full of rivalries. The tense Algeria-Egypt clash, the West African rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana, the classic Côte d'Ivoire-Cameroon and Senegal-Cameroon all spring to mind. So you need to take this into account before betting on such a duel.

More generally, you need to be aware of the psychological stakes of each African Cup match before you place a bet.

Is a team receiving heavy criticism from the home press after a disappointing first match? Is the duel between two historically rival nations? Is one team riding a lengthy winning or unbeaten streak against its opponent on the day? All of these factors can influence the outcome of a match.

So, before making your prediction on the 2024 African Cup of Nations, be sure to dedicate some time to analyse the context. The Head-to-Head analysis can be found on our predictions page.

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Tip 5: Note the venue and time of the African Cup of Nations match

Another great tip is to know the venue and time of the African Cup of Nations match you want to bet on. At this time of year, it can be up to 32 degrees in Côte d'Ivoire, with a fairly high level of humidity! 

It is therefore vital to be aware of the venue and the start time of the match, as players may not perform up to the same standard in a match played in the afternoon as they would in an early-evening start time.

This aspect is all the more important given that many players are not necessarily used to playing in such heat, being dual nationals and sometimes natives of Europe. Jonathan Bamba, for example, was born in Alfortville but lived in Lille for a long time. The contrast for a player with this background can be striking and could cause them to tire out in the second half. Always bear this in mind.

All in all, these 5 tips should help you better understand the context of a AFCON 2024 match, and therefore optimise your chances of success with online bookmakers. If you don't have the time to go that far, you can simply read the predictions at the top of the page. Our experts have analysed everything in depth.

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What not to do when betting on the African Cup of Nations

When it comes to bad betting practices, there are a few that you really must avoid during the African Cup of Nations. Here's what you shouldn't do, for example: 

• Bet without analysing the AFCON match
• Betting based solely on a nation's prestige
• Betting on a match for which a team no longer has anything to play for
• Blindly backing the favourite with no sound reasoning
• Betting an increased amount immediately after losing a bet (chasing your losses)
• Blindly betting on your favourite African team
• Betting a high number of parlays
• Making too many goalscorer predictions

These are eight mistakes that are often made by novice punters during the African Cup of Nations which unfortunately lead to regular losses. It’s up to you to eliminate these errors from your betting process which is sure to boost your overall results!

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Statistics you need to know about the African Cup of Nations

To make increasingly accurate predictions on the African Cup of Nations, it's important to know the key statistics of the tournament. 

For your bets on the Over/Under, the correct score market, the handicap market, as well as many others, here are the figures to remember about the African Cup of Nations. These numbers were taken from the most recent edition of the competition organised by CAF.

• Average number of goals over the duration of the tournament: 1.90 goals per game
• Average number of goals in the group phase : 1.88 goals per match
• Average number of goals from the Round of 16 onwards: 1.94 goals per game
• +0.5 goals over the duration of the tournament : 85% of matches
• +0.5 goals in the group stage : 89% of matches
• +0.5 goals from the Round of 16 onwards: 75% of matches
• +1.5 goals over the duration of the tournament : 50% of matches
• +1.5 goals in the group stage : 47% of matches
• +1.5 goals from the Round of 16 onwards: 56% of matches
• +2.5 goals over the duration of the tournament : 29% of matches
• +2.5 goals in the group stage : 28% of matches
• +2.5 goals from the Round of 16 onwards: 31% of matches
• +3.5 goals over the duration of the tournament: 19% of matches
• +3.5 goals in the group stage : 19% of matches
• +3.5 goals from the Round of 16 onwards: 19% of matches
• "Both teams score : yes" over the duration of the tournament : 38% of matches
• "Both teams score : yes" in the group stage : 36% of matches
• "Both teams score: yes" from the Round of 16 onwards: 44% of matches
• Victory by a single goal over the duration of the tournament: 44% of matches
• Victory by a single goal in the group stage: 53% of matches
• Victory by a single goal from the Round of 16: 25% of matches
• Victory by 2 or more goals over the course of the tournament: 58% of matches
• Victory by 2 or more goals in the group stage: 53% of matches
• Victory by 2 or more goals from the Round of 16 onwards: 69% of matches
• Most frequent score over the duration of the tournament: 1-0 (35% of games)
• Most frequent score in the group stage: 1-0 (42% of games)
• Most frequent score from the Round of 16 onwards: 0-0 (25% of games)
• Draws over the course of the tournament: 33% of matches
• Draws in the group stage: 28% of matches
• Draws from the Round of 16 onwards: 44% of matches

As you can see from these statistics, the African Cup of Nations is not necessarily the most goal-rich international competition. Matches tend to be tightly-contested and are often decided by just a single goal. These statistics are vital to keep in mind when analysing the upcoming fixtures.

For the Ivorian edition, you can focus on "Under 2.5 goals" predictions, as well as the attractive odds for backing a draw on the three-way moneyline market. Your bottom line could benefit greatly from these types of bets in certain matches.

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In a nutshell: how to make winning predictions on the 2024 African Cup of Nations?

The African Cup of Nations is undoubtedly one of the most eagerly awaited football events at the start of 2024. To make the right predictions, you should apply the many tips on this page to each match.

Take the time to analyse the context of each match, find out how the tournament is progressing, the key figures and adopt the bettor's best practices. 

In addition to consulting our team's free predictions, this will enable you to make the most of your betting slips on online sports betting sites, and avoid losing too much money on the competition.

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Our AFCON Predictions of the moment

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