MARK O’Haire (@MarkOHaire) bagged us a winning double in last month’s African Nations Cup qualifying. So who’s on his shortlist for the final round of qualifiers on Wednesday?
Guinea v Uganda | Wednesday 16.00
Group E is on a knife-edge. Ghana (8 points) are just ahead of Uganda (7), Guinea (7) and Togo (6) as we enter the final round of qualifiers on Wednesday.
It’ll be a dramatic conclusion to a group that’s already thrown up it’s fair share of surprises. But when seeing Guinea quoted at 13/8 by BetVictor to finish up with a win, I had to investigate further.
Frenchamn Michel Dussuyer is in his third stint in charge of the national team and a hat-trick from Seydouba Soumah helped Syli Nationale to a stunning 4-1 win away to Togo on Saturday, to revive their chances of qualification. It was a rare competitive away win for Guinea who do their best work at their Stade du 28 Septembre base and should be clear favourites, in my eyes.
This fixture will take place in Casablanca which does take a little gloss of Guinea's ‘home advantage' but with the majority of their squad European based and plying their trade in the top tiers of France, Spain, Belgium and Turkey, they should still be trusted. The only non-African experience in the Uganda squad comes from Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Albania and the lower leagues of Portugal!
But rather than the 13/8, I’m going to play the 9/10, also from BetVictor, on Guinea in the Draw No Bet market. I’m keen to keep the draw onside in what will be a highly-charged and competitive clash.
Uganda once again upset the odds to win 1-0 against Ghana at the weekend but that victory came in Kampala and the Cranes tend to suffer from a severe bout of travel sickness when on the road.
When playing away in qualification games for the African Nations Cup or World Cup, Uganda have W2-D7-L16 since 2000. That’s a 64% loss-rate and makes both the Match Odds and Draw No Bet price look on the large price when getting with Guinea.
Ivory Coast v Cameroon | Wednesday 14.00
It’s a tricky card to complete the qualification phase so I’ve reverted back to a bet that won big for us last time we visited the continent.
I talked up taking Both Teams To Score at a massive 2/1 for the Ivory Coast’s game with DR Congo last month and the fixture ended 3-4. Since them, two more of the Elphants’ matches have featured both teams scoring, extending their unbelievable run when it comes to goals at both ends.
All five of Ivory Coast’s qualifiers have seen both sides net and incredibly 20 of their last 21 outings would have also seen this bet win, including their last 16.
Cameroon have already booked their place in January’s finals and should relish the encounter at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny without playing under the weight of pressure, which should hopefully lead us to an open and exciting match.
With most firms offering Both Teams To Score at just 7/10, it’s worth checking out Betway who offer 9/10. With those trends in your favour, it’s worth a small poke.
Best Bets
Guinea v Uganda – Guinea draw no bet (9/10 BetVictor)
Ivory Coast v Cameroon – Both Teams To Score (9/10 Betway)
