Africa’s biggest tournament is here and we’re covering AFCON picks, parlays and best bets all tournament long. Read on for our Matchday 2 Africa Cup of Nations predictions for the following games.
AFCON Schedule: Saturday, December 27
- Benin vs Botswana
- Senegal vs DR Congo
- Uganda vs Tanzania
- Nigeria vs Tunisia
AFCON Picks
Here are today’s best bets for the Africa Cup of Nations in Groups C and D.
| Match | Pick | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Benin vs Botswana | Benin double chance & under 2.5 | (-134) |
| Senegal vs DR Congo | Senegal double chance & Jackson & Mane 1+ shot on target (-138) | (-138) |
| Uganda vs Tanzania | Both teams NOT to score | (-150) |
| Nigeria vs Tunisia | Draw | (+210) |
| Parlay Pick | Senegal double chance & Mane 1+ shot on target / Nigeria vs Tunisia under 3.5 & Osimhen 1+ shot on target | (+106) |
Benin vs Botswana Preview
Benin (Les Guepards / The Cheetahs)
92nd in FIFA Rankings.
In Qualifying: Were just 2nd in their group at 2-2-2, scoring and allowing 7 goals.
In World Cup Qualifying: Won’t be in the tournament as they finished 3rd in their group at 5-2-3. Steve Mounie had 5G/1A.
In 2024 AFCON: DNQ
Current form: Were off since a 3-0 friendly loss to Burkina Faso in November and before that they lost 4-0 to Nigeria. But before that had won 3 straight, 1-0, 4-0 and 1-0, but … to the likes of Rwanda, Lesotho and Zimbabwe. On Matchday 1 they conceded early to DR Congo in the 16′ minute and that ended up being the only goal of the game and Benin managed just 1 shot on target on 11 shot attempts.
The Under 2.5 has cashed in 5/8 recent Benin games, but the over is 3-2 in the last 5.
Botswana (The Zebras)
138th in FIFA Rankings.
In Qualifying: Were 2nd in their group at 2-2-2 and only scored 4 times, while conceding 7.
In World Cup Qualifying: Were 5th in their group at 3-1-6 and outscored 16-12.
In 2024 AFCON: DNQ
Current form: On Matchday 1 they were put to the sword vs Senegal losing 3-0 and having 0 shots on target. In all comps Botswana has only 1 win 11 games and it was versus Somalia.
Pick
There is no history between the teams, so based off current form you’d have to lean to Benin. It’s also hard to judge Botswana too harshly versus a top opponent like Senegal.
- AFCON Picks: Benin double chance & under 2.5 (-134)
Senegal vs DR Congo Preview
Senegal (The Lions of Teranga)
19th in FIFA Rankings.
In Qualifying: Went undefeated at 5-1-0, scoring 10 goals and only giving up 1.
In World Cup Qualifying: Again went undefeated at 7-3-0, scoring 22 goals and only giving up 3.
In 2024 AFCON: It was similar story going 3-0-0 in the group stage and only giving up 1 goal, but came up short in the Round of 16, drawing Ivory Coast 1-1 and losing in PKs. They did win the 2021/22 tournament though.
Current form: They’re one of the form teams in the tournament. Their first game was a blowout vs Botswana winning 3-0, with 2 goals from Jackson and another from Ndiaye. They led in possession (68%), shots (22-2) and shots on target (13-0). Sadio Mane had 9/6 of those attempts/shots on target and Jackson 7/5.
Senegal have won 5 in a row by shut out, and 7 in a row by a combined 27-2. They’ve also not lost in regulation in 37 overall matches going all the way back to September 2023 which was a friendly. In that time only 3 games ended drawn, with 1 PK win and 2 PK losses. It’s been 47 games since their last competitive loss, 1-0 to Uganda in January 2023 in the group stage of the African Nations Championship.
DR Congo (Les Leopards)
56th in FIFA Rankings.
In Qualifying: Topped their group at 4-0-2 in low-scoring games scoring 7 and allowing just 3.
In World Cup Qualifying: They were one of the top 2nd place teams which sent them to a semifinal with Cameroon where they pulled off a 1-0 upset to then face Nigeria in the final, where they upset the cards again winning 2-1. They await an inter-continental playoff in March. in their group stage games, strong defense was again a theme, giving up just 6 goals in 10 games.
In 2024 AFCON: They drew all 3 group stage games scoring and allowing 2 goals, then beat Guinea in the knockouts, before losing 1-0 to Ivory Coast 1-0 in the semis to finish 4th.
Current form: It was another close game, shutout and win on Matchday 1, with Bongonda scoring early to set up a 1-0 win over Benin. They did have only 38% possession and allowed 11 shot attempts, but just 1 on target. That extends their winning streak in all matches to 6 games. Previous scores were 2-0, 1-1 (PK win), 1-0, 1-0 and 1-0.
Pick
Between them, Senegal is undefeated in 8 meetings (6-2-0) with DRC not winning since the 1960s. There’s been 3 recent matchups as well. 3-0 Senegal in the 2024 Nations Championship, 1-1 in WCQ in 2024 and 3-2 Senegal in WCQ again in September. In that last win, Senegal’s winner came late in the 87′.
DRC are a solid outfit, but you’d think they’ll again concede possession and will keep it close but need something special to upset Senegal. Giving up 11 shot attempt to Benin, could have ended worse vs a better a better team, like … Senegal.
- AFCON Picks: Senegal double chance & Jackson & Mane 1+ shot on target (-138)
Uganda vs Tanzania Preview
Uganda (The Cranes)
85th in FIFA Rankings.
In Qualifying: 2nd in qualifying at 4-1-1, scoring 8, conceding 5.
In World Cup Qualifying: Were also 2nd in their group at 6-0-4 scoring 14 and allowing 9.
In 2024 AFCON: DNQ. Last played in 2019.
Current form: They started the tournament with a lopsided 3-1 loss to Tunisia. They were down within 10 minutes and only got one back in the 92′ (Omedi) which was also their only shot on target.
They’re now 5-1-4 in their last 10. Losses to Morocco, Algeria, Senegal and Tunisia aren’t terrible defeats. Neither is getting wins in 5/10. But this team is a mess off the field right now. Due to unpaid bonuses, players have boycotted training and didn’t even show up last Saturday to practice.
Tanzania (Taifa Stars)
112th in FIFA Rankings.
In Qualifying: 2nd in their group at 3-1-2, scoring 5 and allowing 4.
In World Cup Qualifying: Missed out by being 3rd in the group stage, 3-1-4, scoring 6, allowing 7.
In 2024 AFCON: Came last in their group at 0-2-1, scoring just 1 goal and allowing 4.
Current form: Last month had a wild 4-3 loss to Kuwait in a friendly, but this team usually plays in low-scoring games with other scores being 1-0, 1-0, 1-1, 1-0 and 0-0. They’re also winless in those last 6 games, and were shut out in 4/6. Their first AFCON match saw them score, and was higher-scoring, but ended in defeat losing to Nigeria 2-1. They did push Nigeria, being tied 1-1 in the second half but conceded the winner just 2 minutes after equalizing.
Pick
Historically this is dominated by Uganda at 33-15-13. However, Tanzania won twice by 1-0 scores in 2022 and 2023, before Uganda won 1-0 in 2023 as well. Under 2.5 is 7-2 and BTTS NO is 8-0.
Uganda may be slight favorites but neither team inspires a ton of betting confidence. Under 2.5 (-188) could be a parlay piece. The draw (+210) is in play, or perhaps the BTTS NO (-150) to hit 9 in a row between them.
- AFCON Picks: Both Teams NOT To Score (-150)
Nigeria vs Tunisia Preview
Nigeria (Super Eagles)
38th in FIFA Rankings.
In Qualifying: Topped their group at 3-2-1, scoring 9 and allowing 3.
In World Cup Qualifying: Went 4-5-1, coming 2nd in their group which sent them to the playoff where they beat Gabon 4-1 but then lost to DRC 2-1 to miss out on the World Cup.
In 2024 AFCON: Were 2nd in their group at 2-1-0, scoring 3 and allowing 1 and went all the way to the final, losing 2-1 to Ivory Coast. That 2-1 final was their only Over 2.5 game.
Current form: Their current form has seen some higher scoring games. On Matchday 1, Ajayi and Lookman scored to pace them to a 2-1 win over Tanzania, while also seeing them put up 16 shots and 9 on target. Osimhen had 7 shots/3 on target.
They lost to Egypt 2-1 in a friendly last week but before that it was 1-1, 4-1 win, 4-0 win, 2-1 win and 1-1. They’ve scored in 10 straight and in 17/18.
This team is filled with firepower in the likes of Osimhen, Chukwueze, Iwobi and Lookman.
Tunisia (Eagles of Carthage)
40th in FIFA Rankings.
In Qualifying: Were 2nd in their group at 3-1-2, scoring 7, allowing 6.
In World Cup Qualifying: Went almost perfect at 9-1-0, scoring 22 and being 1/2 African teams (Ivory Coast) to concede 0 goals.
In 2024 AFCON: Didn’t make it out of the groups at 0-2-1.
Current form: Matchday 1 they ran out to a 3-0 lead over Uganda with goals from Skhiri and Achouri (2), and only conceded once in stoppage time. They led in shots 16-6 and shots on target 8-1.
Before that they went 1-1-1 in the group stage of the Arab Cup. The 1 loss (1-0 to Syria) is their only defeat across their last 9 matches, to go with only 3 losses in 12, the others both to Egypt. They’ve also scored in 8/9. The Over/Under has been mixed at 4-3 to Over 2.5 totals of late.
Pick
Tunisia has the edge in this head-to-head at 7-8-6. While Nigeria has only won 1/6, 6/8 have ended drawn in regulation. Their last matchup was won 1-0 by Tunisia in 2022.
Given how close this matchup has been and the solid form both are in, it’s the Under 2.5 (-200) in a parlay or a Draw (+210) for me.
- AFCON Picks: Draw (+210)
AFCON Parlay Best Bet
Let’s focus on the two higher-profile matches on Saturday for today’s best bet parlay where we’ll back Senegal not to lose, a lower-scoring game between Nigeria and Tunisia and a couple of top strikers to put a shot on target.
- Picks: Senegal double chance & Mane 1+ shot on target / Nigeria vs Tunisia under 3.5 & Osimhen 1+ shot on target (Under 2.5 is +180)
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Ryan Métivier is a seasoned editor, writer and communications professional with years of experience in all fields. When it comes to covering sports, he’s written for numerous outlets and organizations including the OHL, CHL, SportsXpress, Sports Betting Dime, Cleveland.com, MassLive, FanSided and others.
While he’ll always cheer for his hometown Toronto teams, when it comes to betting, his only allegiance is his bankroll. Ryan specializes in global soccer, the NFL and the NHL, but if there is a bet to be made, he’ll make it. As the founder of Shred The Spread, Ryan focuses on combining storylines, trends, analytics and good bankroll management to creating simple bets that make sense.
When not making a case for why both teams will score in an MLS soccer match, he can be found focusing his efforts on fitness, attempting to learn Spanish, cooking or planning his travel adventure.
