African Cup of Nations 2010: Odds & Rankings

FIFA’s latest world rankings were released in December 2009, with the next assessment due at the start of February, just after the African Cup of Nations is due to end. So with the tournament about to get underway, how do the teams involved fare? The number on the left represents the nations’ standing within Africa, the number in brackets their overall world ranking.

1. Cameroon (11)
2. Cote d’Ivoire (16)
3. Nigeria (22)
4. Egypt (24)
5. Algeria (26)
6. Ghana (34)
7. Mali (47)
8. Gabon (48)
9. Burkina Faso (49)
10. Tunisia (53)
11. Benin (59)
12. Togo (71)
13. Mozambique (72)
14. Zambia (84)
15. Angola (95)
16. Malawi (99)

Odds

Cote d’Ivoire – 9/4
Ghana – 5/1
Cameroon – 5/1
Nigeria – 8/1
Egypt – 8/1
Algeria – 12/1
Tunisia – 12/1
Angola – 20/1
Mali – 22/1
Gabon – 28/1
Burkina Faso – 33/1
Benin – 40/1
Zambia – 50/1
Mozambique – 100/1
Malawi – 100/1

Odds taken from Totesport online betting.

As you can see there are a few interesting discrepancies between the opinions of the bookmakers and FIFA. According to the rankings Cameroon are the best team in Africa, but the bookies’ favourite are Cote d’Ivoire, with their talisman Chelsea striker and plethora of Premier League players. The actual champions of Africa meanwhile, Egypt, are only ranked the continent’s 4th best team and joint 4th favourites to boot.

Interestingly Ghana are second favourites with the bookies but only ranked 6th in Africa by FIFA. Given the Black Stars were the first team to qualify for the ACONs outside of hosts Angola, FIFA’s position for them appears strange.

In terms of outside bets I see good value in Tunisia (12/1), Mali (22/1) and Angola (20/1). Tunisia are a solid side who always cause teams in Africa problems, should emerge relatively unscathed from their group and have a good, disciplined coach in Faouzi Benzarti. Mali’s trio of Seydou Keita, Mahamadou Diarra and Momo Sissoko make them formidable in midfield, and with Fredi Kanoute capable of leading the line and grabbing vital goals 22/1 looks a decent price. And as for Angola, their team isn’t the best but you can never write off the host nation. In Luanda they will be supported by a 50,000 strong crowd which counts for a lot in tournaments like this, and they have a fantastic motivator in coach Manuel Jose. 20/1 isn’t bad.

With that said, who do you fancy to win the competition? Is it impossible to look past the three favourites Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon and Ghana? Or is there a dark horse out there ready to lift the crown? And is it correct to write off holders Egypt? Let us know who you’re backing, be it the Super Eagles, the Copper Bullets or theStallions.

African Cup of Nations 2010, African Football, Bets Flutters Odds