2012 Africa Cup of Nations Betting Preview & Tips

The 28^th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations gets under way on January 21^st, with the final taking place on February 12^th. 16 teams will take part in the competition with matches being played in both Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

The Africa Cup of Nations was first held in 1957, and since 1968 it has been held every two years. Since 1998 16 teams have taken part in the competition and these teams are drawn into four groups of four, with the top two sides in each group advancing to a knock out stage.

Egypt are the most successful team in the history of the African Nations Cup having won seven titles. Egypt are also the current African Cup of Nations holders but have surprisingly not managed to qualify for this year’s tournament. They actually finished bottom of their group which included Sierra Leone, South Africa and Niger. Many fans are disappointed not to see Egypt in this year’s tournament as they have won the last three events in 2006, 2008 and 2010.

Strong favourites for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations are the very talented Ivory Coast team. They are currently ranked 16^th in the world by FIFA and have qualified for the last two World Cups. Led by captain Didier Drogba, the Ivory Coast or The Elephants as they are nicknamed, cruised through the qualification process for this competition and topped Group H with 18 points. They won all six of their group games, and scored 19 goals. With Man City’s Toure brothers also in the squad, the Ivory Coast are going to be very hard to beat.

At bigger odds, Group B winners Guinea could well be worth an each way interest. They didn’t manage to qualify in 2010 but they look a more solid outfit this time around. While the Guinea squad might not contain a host of big name stars, they do have some quality players and head coach Michel Dussuyer has got them playing some good football. At 25/1, Guinea look a value price.

Tipsters Pick – Back Ivory Coast @ 13/8 with bet365

Tipsters Pick – Back Guinea each way @ 25/1 with William Hill

2012 Africa Cup of Nations Betting Odds (Prices from William Hill, 1/3 Odds, Place 1,2)

Ivory Coast 6/4
Ghana 5/1
Senegal 11/2
Morocco 9/1
Tunisia 9/1
Mali 12/1
Burkina Faso 25/1
Gabon 25/1
Guinea 25/1
Angola 33/1
Zambia 40/1
Libya 40/1
Sudan 66/1
Botswana 66/1
Equatorial Guinea 66/1
Niger 66/1

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