AFCON 2021 Semi-Final: Cameroon v Egypt Betting Preview

Africa Cup of Nations hosts Cameroon will face their biggest challenge yet when they face Egypt in the second semi-final in Olembé.

Egypt v Morocco

Egypt got the AFCON off to a poor start when they lost 1-0 to Nigeria, but they recovered by beating Guinea-Bissau and Sudan by the same scoreline.

Subsequently, Carlos Queiroz’s men beat Ivory Coast on penalties after a 0-0 draw in the round of 16. They went on to see off Morocco 2-1 in extra time despite having to bring on third-choice goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhy on for Mohamed Abou Gabal in the 96th minute.

Sofiane Boufal had opened the scoring for Morocco in the seventh minute, but Mohamed Salah equalised in the 53rd before supersub Mahmoud Trézéguet gave the Pharaohs the win in extra time.

At face value, Cameroon have had a smoother run to the semi-finals, but their performances have been no more consistent than Egypt’s. After beating Burkina Faso 2-1 and Ethiopia 4-1, the hosts were held to a 1-1 draw by Cape Verde and only scraped past 10-man Comoros, who were without a specialist goalkeeper, 2-1.

In the quarter-finals, the Indomitable Lions returned to their best form, with Karl Toko Ekambi bagging a brace to see them past Gambia 2-0.

On paper, there is little to separate Cameroon and Egypt. This game is likely to finish as the Pharaohs’ two knockout matches before have done — going to extra time after a regulation time draw. It is possible that the game will go as far as penalties.

Best Bet: Draw (90 min)

Value Bet: Under 1.5 (90 min)

Leonard Solms

Leonard Solms is a sports journalist who features regularly on various local and international platforms including ESPN, New Frame, FARPost, Tagged Online and Careers Magazine, as well as this one. He enjoys the occasional bet and the most important tip he can give you is to bet within your means.