FOOTBALL BETTING: Chris Hutcheon previews the African Nations Cup which starts on Sunday. With a number of high profile Premier League players on show, there’s sure to be plenty of interest.
Didier Drogba’s Ivory Coast are Stan James’ 5/2 favourites to lift the African Nations Cup in Angola, as punters get an early chance to see what the continent’s main contenders are made of, ahead of summer’s World Cup finals.
Ghana follow in the betting at 5/1 with Ladbrokes, ahead of Cameroon (11/2, Betfred), holders Egypt (9/1, Paddy Power) and Nigeria; a 9/1 shot with Totesport but with the likes of Drogba, his Chelsea team mate Salomon Kalou, Toure brothers Yaya and Kolo as well as Arouna and Bakari Kone, amongst others, it’s easy to see why Ivory Coast are well fancied.
They certainly have the strongest squad and look well placed at 4/6 (Partybets) to pip Ghana and scoop top spot in Group B while the Elephants are also a banker at 4/11 with Betdaq to win their opener against Burkino Faso.
Elsewhere, hosts Angola tempt at 9/4 courtesy of bet365 to upset Group A favourites Algeria to land first place, defending champions Egypt are overpriced at 5/4 (William Hill) in Group C and in Group D, Victor Chandler make Cameroon 8/13 to top the pile.
A pool winner accumulator including Cameroon, as well the Ivorians, Egypt and Angola returns at just under 20/1 thanks to bet365, meanwhile, 888Sport quote the latter at 13/10 to prevail in the tournament’s first game against Mali, Cameroon are a safe bet at 4/9 (Jaxx.com) and Drogba, at 9/2 with Paddy Power, should see off the top scorer threat posed by Samuel Eto’o.
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