Senegal +190 Favorites Ahead of Quarterfinals to Win Africa Cup of Nations
- Senegal are the +190 favorites to win the championship as the Africa Cup of Nations tournament enters the quarterfinal stage Wednesday, July 10, 2019 in Egypt
- Nigeria eliminated defending champion Cameroon on penalties in the round of 16
- 2018 World Cup participants Egypt were knocked out 1-0 by South Africa
The role of favorite in the Africa Cup of Nations has been garnered by Senegal, with some of the expected contenders sent packing following the first round of the knockout stage.
The Senegalese bounced Uganda 1-0 in the round of 16 on a 15th-minute goal by Liverpool star Sadio Mane.
Sportsbooks have established Senegal as the +190 chalk to win the tournament.
Odds to Win Africa Cup Of Nations
| Team | 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Odds |
|---|---|
| Senegal | +190 |
| Algeria | +350 |
| Nigeria | +500 |
| Tunisia | +600 |
| Ivory Coast | +700 |
| Nigeria | +500 |
| South Africa | +1400 |
| Madagascar | +2500 |
| Benin | +4000 |
*Odds taken on 07/09/19
Seven-time champions Egypt were the +300 favorites entering the round of 16. But the host Egyptians, led by Liverpool scoring sensation Mohamad Salah, tumbled out of the competition via a 1-0 loss to South Africa.
Senegal Sensation
Nicknamed the Lions of Teranga, Senegal have never won the Africa Cup of Nations. Even in 2002, the year the Senegalese reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup in Japan, they were unsuccessful. Senegal lost the final of the Africa Cup of Nations on penalties to Cameroon.
Liverpool winger Mane has scored three goals in three matches. He shares the tournament lead in this department. Team captain Mane sits on a yellow card. That factor must be worrisome to Senegal. One more and he’ll be suspended for a match under FIFA rules.
Senegal should make short work of Benin in the quarterfinals.
Algerians Look Like Real Threats
Algeria is a team on the rise in this tournament. The odds on the Algerians have steadily shortened throughout the competition. They opened at +1200. By the round of 16 they’d shortened to +700. Currently Algeria are the second betting choice at +350.
The Desert Foxes thrashed Guinea 3-0 in the round of 16 with Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez netting a goal. Midfielder Adam Ounas of Napoli also scored, his third of the competition. Algeria has yet to concede a goal.
???? AH HA ZAHA!
Against the run of play Wilfried Zaha breaks the deadlock to put Ivory Coast in the driving seat against Mali. #TotalAFCON2019 pic.twitter.com/lxRspgASiG
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) July 8, 2019
The Algeria-Ivory Coast clash should be the match of the day in the quarters stage. Ivory Coast got through the round of 16 via a 1-0 shutout of Mali. Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha scored a 76th-minute goal.
Nigerian Princes Are Money
Nigeria didn’t dominate the Indomitable Lions. But they did enough to down Cameroon 3-2 in their round of 16 match. Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi came off the bench to net the winner in the 63rd minute.
Striker Odion Ighalo of Chinese club Shanghai Greenland Shenhua scored twice. The Nigerians rallied from a 2-1 deficit.
The talented Nigerians haven’t come close to consistently playing as well as they can. Nonetheless, they should still topple South Africa.
Thus far, the South Africans have alternated four 1-0 results. They’ve lost their two odd-numbered games and won their two even-numbered games. That trend says they will lose this match.
Senegal Defense Will Be Tough to Crack
Mane has scored the last three goals for the Senegalese. As much as it’s about his talent, that old saying about defense winning championships holds forth here.
Only one man scored the last 3⃣ consecutive goals for his ?? team…?
Yup, it's non other than Sadio Mané ?? #TotalAFCON2019 pic.twitter.com/90j9DXAYhe
— CAF (@CAF_Online) July 5, 2019
Senegal is rock-solid and experienced in midfield and across the back four. For instance, Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly has earned 37 caps. Team captain and Crystal Palace central mdifielder Cheikhou Kouyate, 29, has 56 caps. He’s been part of the national side since he was 18.
Sadio Mane says it is his "absolute dream" to help Senegal win the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time????????? pic.twitter.com/szIHPns5GL
— Ab. Samad Shalmeen (@AbdulSamadSh24) July 5, 2019
Then, factor in the 67 caps of Everton defensive midfielder Idrissa Gueye. He led the English Premier League in completed tackles in 2016-17.
Is it any wonder Senegal has a goal-differential of 6:1 in the tournament?
Pick: Senegal (+190)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
