African Nations Cup 2012

[Spooner]

Winner:

[HONKAGE]

Re: African Cup of Nations 2012 - Ante-post Thread burkini faso ? ghana all way for me:gimme

[AHughes]

Re: African Cup of Nations 2012 - Ante-post Thread Fancy Senegal for this one. They have some very useful players and players such as Demba Ba, Papa Demba Cisse, Moussa Sow, Mohammed Diame, Souleymane Diawara and Dame N'Doye

[bennocelt]

Re: African Cup of Nations 2012 - Ante-post Thread Senegal v ivory Coast final with IC to win it:clap

[MPLouis]

Re: African Cup of Nations 2012 - Ante-post Thread

Fancy Senegal for this one. They have some very useful players

So do most of the countries competing

[AHughes]

Re: African Cup of Nations 2012 - Ante-post Thread

So do most of the countries competing

Maybe so, but they have probably the most in-form front line in the tournament right now with Ba and Sow

[MPLouis]

Re: African Cup of Nations 2012 - Ante-post Thread

Maybe so' date=' but they have probably the most in-form front line in the tournament right now with Ba and Sow[/quote'] Good players, but to be sure of this you'd have to have some knowledge of every other forward line in the competition - do you?

[AHughes]

Re: African Cup of Nations 2012 - Ante-post Thread

Good players' date=' but to be sure of this you'd have to have some knowledge of every other forward line in the competition - do you?[/quote'] Well I know they are one of the very few form forwards in europe. You can also add Papa Demba Cisse in into that list.

[HastGill1]

African Nations Cup Not sure how much interest there is going to be in this tournament, have made a thread as the antepost thread didn't get off to a good start! Will try and add odds for the first weekend of games in the thread also. Its fair to say there are a few of the usually fancied nations that failed to qualify for the finals, from a betting perspective it leads to a fair amount of unknowns, Nigeria were left three points behind Guinea in their qualifying group and didn't qualify, North Africans Algeria only managed third in their group and managed to finish behind both Morocco and the Central African Republic, Cameroon were second in group E behind Senegal, and both Egypt and South Africa didn't make it either. Below is a brief preview of each team involved in the finals.. Group A - Senegal (Current FIFA World Ranking:43) Manager – Amara Traore Amara Traore is a relatively inexperienced manager. Only managed one club in Senegal before getting the job. Senegal will be expected to win the group they have a few decent Premier League players Armand Traore, Mohamed Diame and Demba Ba, although even Ba can't be guaranteed to start given the good form of Moussa Sow of Lille and Demba Cisse of Freiburg, they certainly have more options than most in attack. In Mangane (Rennes), Sall (Saint Etienne), Dia (Fenerbahce) they have a number of players who ply their trade in Europe, Ludovic Sane is also in terrific form for Bordeaux. They only conceded two goals in qualifying in a group that included Cameroon and are certainly one to watch. Libya (63) Manager – Marcos Bakita Brazilian coach who coached Brazil at junior levels, improved results since coming in and has passion in spades, considering the problems the country has he did very well to guide them through. The country has obviously done well to qualify aside from the obvious devastation in the country they had various problems including the death of their popular team doctor from a heart attack the night before the Zambia game, player absences deriving from the conflict and the suspension of their domestic league. Two of their three scheduled home games also had to be played outside the country in Bamako, Mali and Cairo, Egypt. They have a squad largely built with players from the domestic league with the exception of Djamal Mahamat who plays for Braga. Look likely to employ a defensive formation and try to hit on the break they only scored 6 goals during qualifying, could spring a surprise and finish runners up but will need some luck along the way. Zambia (71) Manager - Hervé Renard Second spell as manager, recent results are not brilliant but will fancy their chances of getting through the group, knows the players well. They have a fair bit of experience in the side and at this level which puts them at an advantage over the other two sides who are seemingly competing for the runners up spot, often one of the more entertaining sides at the finals they were unlucky to go out to Nigeria last time out. Christopher Katongo (ex Arminia Bielefeld) and Collins Mbesuma (ex Pompey) will be relied on to score the goals to get them through with the useful Mayuka (Young Boys) to also call on, but they have a decent backbone with plenty of experience, numerous players have over 30 caps and they will fancy their chances of going through. Equatorial Guinea (151) Manager – Gilson Paulo A Brazilian coach who only has a 2 month contract which covers the tournament, not got much experience outside Brazil. The hosts and real underdogs, never played in the finals before but have recently had a lot of Spainish players join the team and that certainly seems to have improved results, not much information around about them but Bodipo is the key point of attack, the nation’s captain is on loan at Elche this season and is backed up by other players from the lower leagues in Spain. Not unthinkable to see them qualify for the next stage but probably only because they are the home nation, looks unlikely. Questions remain about whether the recent influx of nationalised players will affect morale in the team. Odds for Group Winner: Senegal: 1.36 Libya: 7 Zambia: 7.5 Equatorial Guinea: 11 (All bet365, better odds may be available elsewhere)

[HastGill1]

Re: African Nations Cup 21st-22nd January Group B - Ivory Coast (18) Manager - Francois Zahoui Not a 'name' manager but took control after Eriksson left in 2010 and may be able to take the country the final step where they have failed before, certainly they are expected to get to the final at least, how he handles the big names may be key. They are the favourites for the title and its not difficult to see why, Drogba, Kalou, Gervinho, Toure brothers, Tiote, Zakora, Keita, Tiene, they have a team of household names. A few of the team are probably past their best but they still have the best squad at the tournament, they threw it away against Algeria in 2010 but with many of the bigger names not in the Tournament they will fancy their chances. How the inexperienced manager handles the bigger games will be important to their chances. Burkina Faso (66) Manager – Paulo Duarte Been in charge since 2008 which makes him one of the longest serving African managers, previously managed in France, knows the players well and will know they have a decent chance of getting through. Burkina Faso are a pretty similar level to Angola and its perhaps a shame one of them has to go out as they both look capable of springing a shock on their day. Bakary Kone (Lyon), Jonathon Pitroipa (Rennes) Charles Kabore (Marseille) and Alain Traore (Auxerre) are just a few of their squad who play in Europe, again not a lot of well known players but they are a decent side who haven't lost many games in the last 18 months. Often fall at the first hurdle but have a chance of getting out of the group this time, the result of their first game against Angola will probably be crucial to how the group evolves. Angola (85) Manager – Lito Vidigal Vidigal is relatively inexperienced at 42 years of age. Managed a few Angolan clubs and has done well so far in the job. Second placed in this group is open with Angola favourites to succeed in taking it. They qualified for the quarters in the last two tourns, and will fancy their chances of doing so again, not a team with lots of european representatives but in Flavio (Lierse), Manucho (Real Valladolid) they have two players who know where the goal is and the rest of the side has decent experience, don't be surprised to see them pull a few surprises. Play an attacking style and should be an entertaining side to watch. Sudan (120) Manager – Mohamed Abdalla Ahmed Second time in charge of the national team, has only managed in the Sudan and has been in charge since 2010, the only coach not to call on any overseas players. The rank outsiders, Sudan lost each group game 3-0 when they lost qualified 4 years ago and haven't gained a point in the competition since 1976. They qualified back in 2008 but before then they had not qualified for the finals since 1976. The current side finished second in qualifying behind Ghana and in front of Congo and Swaziland. They don't score many goals and will look to keep it tight and play on the break, a point or two would be a good achievement, its certainly not the easiest group they could have been faced with. Odds for Group Winner: Ivory Coast: 1.2 Burkina Faso: 8 Angola: 10 Sudan: 23 (All bet365, better odds may be available elsewhere)

[HastGill1]

Re: African Nations Cup 21st-22nd January Group C - Morocco (61) Manager – Eric Gerets The Belgian has managed the likes of Club Brugge, PSV Eindhoven, Wolfsburg, Galatasaray and Marseille and has decent pedigree, not much international experience but has had experience of handling big name players which could prove vital, the team have the potential to challenge. Can be considered as one of the potential dark horses in the finals, they have a number of players based in Europe, captain Houssine Khjara is at Fiorentina, Youssouf Hadji at Udinese, Mehdi Benatia at Udinese and the Premiership boys Chamakh and Taarabt. They will expect to reach the quarters, but their recent history in the competition isn't impressive and a few of the star names aren't in good form. An interesting side its difficult to know what to expect of them, if they negociate the tricky group there is no reason they can't reach the semis at least. Tunisia (59) Manager – Sami Trabelsi Won 52 caps for his country but has little managerial experience, never been a club manager, has had mixed results since taking on the role. Tunisia hosted and won the tournament back in 2004 and will be hoping for an extended run this year after disappointing last time out, all time record goalscorer Issam Jemaa (Auxerre) makes the trip after recovering from injury, most of the squad plays in Tunisia but it is considered one of the stronger African leagues. Captain Karim Haggui (Hannover) leads a side that has a decent mix of youth and experience but it is of concern that coach Trabelsi said his side were struggling for form and that there were plenty of things to work on before the finals after the recent 2-0 loss to the Ivory Coast in a friendly. Gabon (91) Manager – Gernot Rohr Has a good amount of European experience in France and Switzerland even getting to a UEFA Cup final, been in charge for a year, looks like he will be relying on making them hard to beat rather than attacking at will. The co-hosts are certainly stronger than Equatorial Guinea and if one of the hosts is to go through it looks likely to be them, its certainly a tough group and probably the most evenly matched. Their most well known player is ex Hull man Daniel Cousin and he looks to be their main threat in attack, gamblers might remember them from their friendly against Brazil in November when they gave a decent account of themselves only losing 2-0. Gabon look unlikely to outscore their opponents so will be looking to keep it tight, having the crowd on their side will certainly be important and they look a decent outside bet for the next stage. Niger (98) Manager – Harouna Doula Gabde Awarded African coach of the year for guiding the unfancied Niger into the finals for the first time, the Niger FA have hired former Marseille coach Frenchman Rolland Courbis to assist him during the tournament. The supposed whipping boys of group C are Niger, this is their first appearance in the Finals and they seem to be using it to gain some experience and hopefully springing the odd surprise. The squad is made up of players aged between 19 - 23, most of the squad play in and around Africa, striker Ouwo Maazou (Zulte Waregem on loan from CSKA Moscow) has played for plenty of European clubs including Monaco and Bordeaux he has 6 in 12 for the national side and will be the main focus of the attack. Their record in away matches is pretty dire in general and its fair to say not much is expected of them. Odds for Group Winner: Morocco: 2.5 Tunisia: 2.7 Gabon: 3.8 Niger: 15 (All bet365, better odds may be available elsewhere)

[HastGill1]

Re: African Nations Cup 21st-22nd January Group D - Ghana (26) Manager – Goran Stevanovic Been in charge over a year and stated within a few days of his appointment that he wanted to win this crown, formally managed Partizan and has had a decent record so far with the national team, England supporters will recall his side gaining a very credible 1-1 draw at Wembley last year. The second favourites for the title behind Ivory Coast, the squad that was very unlucky not to get to the semi finals of the WC in 2010 is largely intact bar the injured Micheal Essien, midfielders Kevin Prince Boateng, Stephen Appiah and goalkeeper Kingston. They have options all over the park and it would be a surprise to see them go out before the quarter finals. Former Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan is fit for the tournament after being treated with horse placenta by a Serbian healer(!) and made a goalscoring return the other day in a warm-up game. One notable squad addition is Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, the Udinese midfielder who missed the World Cup through injury but is highly rated, Andre Ayew (Marseille) will again be the one to watch and is in fine form. A very balanced squad of players they have quality throughout the side and on the bench, have the potential to go all the way. Mali (69) Manager – Alain Giresse Giresse is a very well-known manager. In his playing career he played for both Bordeaux and Marseille and the Frenchman won French footballer of the year in 1982, 1983 and 1987. He has a lot of experience at international level after been the manager of Georgia and Gabon before Mail. Giresse has also managed the likes of Toulouse and PSG in France and he could guide the Mali team to a decent tournament. Gamblers will remember them as the side who destroyed many a chalk eaters balance by coming back from 4-0 down with 12 minutes to go to draw 4-4 with Angola two years ago, some of the countries best known players - Frederic Kanoute, Momo Sissoko and Mahamadou Diarra - are no longer part of the side. Key player is certainly Seydou Keita (Barcelona) who will be the main man in midfield and will be expected to protect the back line and keep the ball, although he does play in a more advanced role than he does for the Catalans. The midfield is pretty strong Modibo Maiga (Sochaux) nearly moved to Newcastle recently, and they have plenty of athletic players. Not a bad side its hard to see them going too far but should get out of the group. Guinea (79) Manager – Michel Dussuyer: The Frenchman is in his second stint as manager of Guinea. Appointed for the second time in May 2010, between these two stints he took charge at club side AS Cannes and African nation Benin. He knows how to manage Guinea and will be hoping to get into the quarter final stage. Not a team too fancied to get far in the tournament but they have reached the quarters in 3 of the last 4 finals and eliminated Nigeria in the qualifiers so shouldn't be underestimated. Ismael Bangoura (Al Nasr) moved from Dynamo Kiev to Rennes for 11m euros a couple of years ago now playing in the UAE but still considered one of their most creative players, midfielder Ibrahima Traore is signed on at Stuttgart after helping Augsburg to promotion last year fellow meidfielder Mamadou Bah is also signed on at Stuttgart. They don't have much strength in depth and are notoriously bad travellers, likely to be fighting with Mali for the runners-up spot. Botswana (94) Manager – Stanley Tshosane The first permanent Botswana manager, he had caretaker spells in charge and was given the post full time for the first time in 2008. He has seen the nation qualify for the finals of this tournament for the first time and will be hoping to pick up at least a point at the finals. Botswana complete group D and like two other teams in the 2012 finals it is their first ever appearance. One of their key players is Dipsy Selolwane who plays his club football for South African team Supersport United and has played for various South African clubs, he has also played in America with Chicago Fire and had a stint playing in Denmark with Vejle BK, he has 39 Botswana caps and 9 goals. Not much is really known about their players as they all play in Botswana and South Africa, they seem capable of frustrating sides although goals might be hard to come by. Odds for Group Winner: Ghana: 1.53 Mali: 3.75 Guinea: 7.5 Botswana: 19 (All bet365, better odds may be available elsewhere)

[HastGill1]

Re: African Nations Cup 21st-22nd January

Saturday 21 January 2012	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
	Equatorial Guinea v Libya (18:30 GMT)	2.82	3	3.1	101.05 %
	Senegal v Zambia (21:00 GMT)	1.75	3.75	6.5	99.19 %
	Sunday 22 January 2012	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
	Côte d'Ivoire v Sudan (16:00 GMT)	1.24	7	18.5	100.34 %
	Burkina Faso v Angola (19:00 GMT)	2.78	3.2	3.25	97.99 %

[HastGill1]

Re: African Nations Cup 21st-22nd January Eq. Guinea v Libya The unders looks a really good bet here, neither side look likely to start all guns blazing for Eq. Guinea it will be vital they don't lose the first game on home soil, stats tell us Libya are generally an unders side their last 8 games have gone under and while they are favourites and the better team, when a side is used to defending and playing on the break it is difficult to break that cycle even when facing an inferior team. Eq. Guinea are the home nation and I can see it being more important to them to take home one point than risk a two or three goal loss, the $1m win bonus offered by the Presidents son will certainly be an incentive to keep things tight. Even if Eq. Guinea manage to spring a surprise it certainly won't be by more than a goal. The odds are pretty poor but with good reason imo. Under 2.5 - 1.44 (betchandler) - 2 points

[Spooner]

Good work HastGill and good luck with your bets through the tournament :ok

[HastGill1]

Re: African Nations Cup 21st-22nd January Burkina Faso v Angola Going with Angola on the DNB here, I think both teams seem pretty evenly matched, Angola have good pedigree in the competition and theres no reason to think they can't progress. This is an important game for both sides as they are competing to qualify with probable group victors Ivory Coast, but Angola are fancied by many to do well and I think they can start with a win. The overs is also tempting with the bookies banking on opening games with few goals and Angola are generally quite an attacking team but given it is the first game its difficult to know where the value lies. The draw is probably the most likely result but I think anything over evens for Angola with draw cover is worth taking. Angola 0AH - 2.07 (betvictor) - 2 points

[soundingstylish]

Re: African Nations Cup 21st-22nd January Burkina Faso vs Angola - Burkina Faso DNB 10/11 @ Hills I'm not going to pretend and say I've seen these teams just lately, because I haven't but looking at recent results and key players, I'm siding with Faso in this one. They were a bit fortunate in qualifying as one of the teams pulled out but still won three of their four games, drawing the remaining one. They have a solid spine through their XI, Kone in defence, Pitroipa and Alain Traore further forward. These three all play in the French Ligue 1 and with Faso ever improving, I'll quite happily back them against Angola (who are actually a really decent side. I just think the extra quality of the trio of players mentioned above will prevail in the end). The pitches are in poor condition so I think having the draw cover is an essential because not a lot of good football can be played on these surfaces. Be lucky!

[MPLouis]

Re: African Cup of Nations 2012 - Ante-post Thread There are some great previews on the BBC website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/9627988.stm Group A Equatorial Guinea Libya Senegal Zambia http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16401927.stm Group B Ivory Coast Sudan Burkina Faso Angola http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16401928.stm Group C Gabon Niger Morocco Tunisia http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16401929.stm Group D Gabon Botswana Mali Guinea http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16401930.stm

[pg_yid]

Re: African Nations Cup 21st-22nd January Ivory Coast vs Sudan Ivory Coast @ 1.23 (Pinnacle) Sudan have taken a squad of players which are all domestically based to the Cup of Nations and as such I think they will struggle against the Ivorians, many of whom have experience at the very top level of the game, as is well documented. As well as a lack of experience, the Sudanese will suffer from a lack of fitness as their season ended back in November. I would doubt that their league is professional anyway so they would face lower fitness levels even without this factor. They struggled last time out at the Cup of Nations, losing every game 3-0. Meanwhile, the Ivory Coast have been dispatching of weaker opposition with ease, winning all of their qualification matches. There have been a lot of surprises in the qualifying for the tournament but I can't see another one here, the Ivorians will be desperate to start the tournament with a win and justify the hype poured upon them, with two harder games up next, and I can't see Sudan holding out.

[MPLouis]

Re: African Nations Cup 21st-22nd January

Eq. Guinea v Libya The unders looks a really good bet here, neither side look likely to start all guns blazing for Eq. Guinea it will be vital they don't lose the first game on home soil, stats tell us Libya are generally an unders side their last 8 games have gone under and while they are favourites and the better team, when a side is used to defending and playing on the break it is difficult to break that cycle even when facing an inferior team. Eq. Guinea are the home nation and I can see it being more important to them to take home one point than risk a two or three goal loss, the $1m win bonus offered by the Presidents son will certainly be an incentive to keep things tight. Even if Eq. Guinea manage to spring a surprise it certainly won't be by more than a goal. The odds are pretty poor but with good reason imo. Under 2.5 - 1.44 (betchandler) - 2 points

I was looking at unders in the early games, as African v African games often tend to be unders, and early games in tournaments often tend to be cautious, defensive ones (like in South Africa 2010). But not convinced the odds are worth it. If you could get 1.8 or above, I would probably go for it.

[MPLouis]

Re: African Nations Cup 21st-22nd January

Ivory Coast vs Sudan Ivory Coast @ 1.23 (Pinnacle) Sudan have taken a squad of players which are all domestically based to the Cup of Nations and as such I think they will struggle against the Ivorians, many of whom have experience at the very top level of the game, as is well documented. As well as a lack of experience, the Sudanese will suffer from a lack of fitness as their season ended back in November. I would doubt that their league is professional anyway so they would face lower fitness levels even without this factor. They struggled last time out at the Cup of Nations, losing every game 3-0. Meanwhile, the Ivory Coast have been dispatching of weaker opposition with ease, winning all of their qualification matches. There have been a lot of surprises in the qualifying for the tournament but I can't see another one here, the Ivorians will be desperate to start the tournament with a win and justify the hype poured upon them, with two harder games up next, and I can't see Sudan holding out.

Sudan aren't all that bad from what I've seen - they are steadily improving. I would be a bit concerned backing against them at such low odds.

[MPLouis]

Re: African Cup of Nations 2012 - Ante-post Thread Just read the excellent BBC previews, and I think the winner will probably come from one of the countries with a bit of proven class and pedigree, and a country with some players playing in Europe (the leagues here, I believe being a higher standard). So I think the winner will come from this list (Betfair odds on the right) - Senegal 6.5 Ivory Coast 2.5 Morocco 11 Tunisia 13 Ghana 5.5 I would think Ivory Coast's odds are much too short, and it might be worth laying them.

[Nutbar]

Re: African Nations Cup 21st-22nd January .

[Alexc]

Re: African Nations Cup 21st-22nd January

I was looking at unders in the early games' date=' as African v African games often tend to be unders, and early games in tournaments often tend to be cautious, defensive ones (like in South Africa 2010). But not convinced the odds are worth it. [b']If you could get 1.8 or above, I would probably go for it.

:loon

[ash2012]

Re: African Nations Cup 21st-22nd January

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lol smene deletes there comment when senegal go 2-0 down lol, £550 going down the drain for you mate, unless senegal start playing basic football

[Spooner]

Re: African Nations Cup 21st-22nd January :welcome to PL Nutbar, please don't edit your posts during matches when things are not going wel, they could still turn it around, also try not to post the sum of money you are placing, generally most punters use points scale from 1-10 to say the strength of their bet :ok

[pg_yid]

Re: African Nations Cup 21st-22nd January

Sudan aren't all that bad from what I've seen - they are steadily improving. I would be a bit concerned backing against them at such low odds.

Have you watched them play MP? Must admit that my analysis of Sudan is based on what I have read, their results etc; I've never watched them play. It does seem they are improving from their results but even the other factors I mention make me happy to take this bet, I always value your opinion though. :ok

[MPLouis]

Re: African Nations Cup 21st-22nd January

Have you watched them play MP? Must admit that my analysis of Sudan is based on what I have read' date=' their results etc; I've never watched them play. It does seem they are improving from their results but even the other factors I mention make me happy to take this bet, I always value your opinion though. :ok[/quote'] Yes I have seen them a few times on my travels around the internet, and I'm noticed they seem to be improving. Also, Ivory Coast regularly seem to disappoint in big tournaments like this - other countries seem to raise their game, and IC do the opposite. With the big difference in class and top-level experience, I'm pretty sure IC will win, just think the odds are too short ...

[Alexc]

Re: African Nations Cup 21st-22nd January

Yes I have seen them a few times on my travels around the internet' date=' and I'm noticed they seem to be improving. Also, Ivory Coast regularly seem to disappoint in big tournaments like this - other countries seem to raise their game, and IC do the opposite. With the big difference in class and top-level experience, I'm pretty sure IC will win, just think the odds are too short ...[/quote'] Surely if you have an opinion on what are short odds for IC you must have an opinion on what odds would be sufficient? So, MP, what do you think IC should be priced up as?

[MPLouis]

Re: African Nations Cup 21st-22nd January

Surely if you have an opinion on what are short odds for IC you must have an opinion on what odds would be sufficient? So, MP, what do you think IC should be priced up as?

I would have thought somewhere between 1.3 and 1.6