Betting on the Africa Cup of Nations 2024

Tournament Overview

In the Africa Cup of Nations 2024, the Ivory Coast sets the stage for a captivating football tournament. This overview covers essential details including venues, format, and critical dates.

Host Country: Ivory Coast

The Africa Cup of Nations 2024 will take place in the Ivory Coast. Originally selected for the 2021 tournament, Ivory Coast's opportunity to host was delayed due to scheduling adjustments with previous tournaments. This will be a pivotal moment for the nation, showcasing its capacity to host such a significant event.

Shift in Tournament Timing

Traditionally held in June and July, the 2024 tournament has been rescheduled to January and February. This change is to avoid the peak rainy season in Ivory Coast, ensuring better playing conditions and a more comfortable experience for players and fans alike.

Venues and Cities

The tournament will utilise six stadiums across five cities, with three of these venues newly built in Korhogo, San Pedro, and Yamoussoukro. The largest venue, the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, with a capacity of 60,000, will host the opening match and the final. Other stadiums include the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan (33,000 capacity), Stade de la Paix in Bouake (40,000 capacity), Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo (20,000 capacity), Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro (20,000 capacity), and Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro (20,000 capacity).

Tournament Format

The 2024 edition will see 24 teams compete, starting with six groups of four teams. The group stages will be followed by a knockout phase, featuring the group winners and runners-up, alongside the best four third-placed teams. This format promotes intense competition from the outset, with each match carrying significant weight in the quest for the coveted title.

Key Dates and Schedule

Mark your calendars for a football extravaganza like no other, as the Africa Cup of Nations 2024 unfolds from January 13 to February 11, 2024. This tournament, with its intense group stage clashes and nail-biting knockout rounds, promises to be a showcase of African football at its finest.

Group Stage: January 13 - 24, 2024

The group stage, set to run from January 13 to 24, is where the action kicks off. Expect riveting matches right from the start, with each team fighting for a spot in the knockout stages. The opening match on January 13 will see hosts Ivory Coast taking on Guinea-Bissau in Abidjan. Some other notable fixtures include:

- January 14: Ivory Coast vs Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea, Egypt vs Mozambique

- January 15: Ghana vs Cape Verde, Senegal vs Gambia, Cameroon vs Guinea

- January 16: Algeria vs Angola, Burkina Faso vs Mauritania, Tunisia vs Namibia

- January 17: Mali vs South Africa, Morocco vs Tanzania

- January 18: Dr Congo vs Zambia, Equatorial Guinea vs Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast vs Nigeria, Senegal vs Cameroon

- January 19: Ghana vs Egypt, Guinea vs Gambia, Cape Verde vs Mozambique

- January 20: Burkina Faso vs Algeria, Mauritania vs Angola

- January 21: Tunisia vs Mali, Morocco vs Dr Congo, Zambia vs Tanzania

- January 22: South Africa vs Namibia, Guinea-Bissau vs Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea vs Ivory Coast

- January 23: Mozambique vs Ghana, Cape Verde vs Egypt, Gambia vs Cameroon, Guinea vs Senegal

- January 24: Mauritania vs Algeria, Angola vs Burkina Faso, Namibia vs Mali, South Africa vs Tunisia.

Knockout Rounds

- Round of 16: January 27 - 30

- Quarterfinals: February 2 - 3

- Semifinals: February 7

- Third Place Match: February 10

- Final: February 11

The Round of 16 commences on January 27, marking the beginning of the knockout phase where the stakes are higher, and the suspense is palpable. The quarterfinals follow on February 2 and 3, leading up to the semifinals on February 7. The tournament reached its climax with the third-place match on February 10 and the grand final on February 11 at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.

Popular Betting Markets

The Africa Cup of Nations 2024 is set to be a thrilling event, with various betting markets offering unique opportunities for punters. Let's explore some of the top teams and how this influences popular betting markets.

Top Teams and Their Impact on Betting

- Nigeria: A three-time champion, Nigeria is a strong contender, bolstered by players like Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze. Their robust qualifying performance positions them as a favourite in outright winner bets.

- Algeria: The two-time champions, led by talents like Riyad Mahrez, are another top pick, especially in match winner and player performance markets.

- Egypt: With a record seven titles, Egypt, spearheaded by Mohamed Salah, is a formidable force. Their track record influences outright winner and top scorer markets.

- Ghana: The Black Stars, four-time champions, led by the Ayew brothers and Thomas Partey, are strong contenders, impacting group winner and match winner bets.

- Ivory Coast: As hosts and two-time champions, the Elephants, with stars like Serge Aurier, are a significant presence in outright and match winner markets.

- Senegal: The 2021 champions, boasting talents like Sadio Mane, are favourites, affecting outright winner and group winner bets.

Betting Market Trends

- Outright Winner Bets: Focusing on the tournament's overall winner, with top teams like Nigeria, Algeria, and Egypt being popular choices.

- Match Winner Bets: These bets will be heavily influenced by the form and history of the top teams, making matches involving them particularly interesting for punters.

In conclusion, the Africa Cup of Nations 2024 presents diverse betting opportunities. Punters should pay close attention to the top teams, as their performances will significantly influence various betting markets. By combining insights into these teams with an understanding of the different betting markets, bettors can enhance their chances of successful wagers.

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