🌍⚽Sportsbet.io AFCON 2024 prediction pool discussion thread

[Igebotz]

I would even give it to you in some pool like Fantasy or Superbru ones. Even organised AFCON so that you are on your home turf and have all possible advantages and you can't even break into the money positions. Give me something to work with man 

The Sherrif - Yellow cap
Trofo - wooden spoon

You needed something to work it now you have it. I fucked you up from the money position and placed myself. If this isn't the GOAT movement then I don't what else you want. Buddy 


Next round is Quarter finals max 12 points-  I only need minimum 6 to stay in the money line.

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[casperBGD]

-snip
and South Africa to pass group, also as underdog, for the time being

South Africa pass into QF, and could pass into SF as well
will follow them all the way, until drop out

my 5-year old is cheering Angola (fancy flag, as he thinks), so I am on their side as well against Nigeria
but realistically, Nigeria or Ivory Coast should win this, I will surprised to see something else happening

[un_rank]

Full of confidence from the start and still didn't put them in the pool - AFCON doesn't care about your CAF ranking, and no country should be underestimated. This is by far the best AFCON since the 2013 AFCON. The trophy has Nigeria written all over it.

After the miss by Hakimi I remembered your prediction. I expected a draw and then anybodies game on penalties and that might have been if they had gone level so close to the end of the match. It seemed only fitting anyway, cause I had not seen a team celebrate a yet-to-be-converted penalty that way.

This next round is the last for any real moves up or down the table. Time to go all in.

- Jay -

[LTU_btc]

I totally agree with Igebotz, this is the best AFCON ever. Favorites all leaving so soon. Underdogs coming up far. Goals everywhere. Still loads of drama, still loads of cheating ref (duh lol) but we are having a treat.

New winner name I think will be written on this cup!!

Not that I saw many AFCON's, but this one can't be compare with previous tournament. Good number of goals scored, lot of drama and upsets. And all these upsets, we already have 5 Top ranked teams eliminated, I can't imagine such scenario in EURO. But at least I have excuse for my awful performance in pool.
From remaining teams, I already will refrain from predicting who can lift trophy.

[jeremypwr]

Congrats to Igebotz and Saint-loup for winning the Round of 16 Yellow Cap

[Igebotz]

Full of confidence from the start and still didn't put them in the pool - AFCON doesn't care about your CAF ranking, and no country should be underestimated. This is by far the best AFCON since the 2013 AFCON. The trophy has Nigeria written all over it.

After the miss by Hakimi I remembered your prediction. I expected a draw and then anybodies game on penalties and that might have been if they had gone level so close to the end of the match. It seemed only fitting anyway, cause I had not seen a team celebrate a yet-to-be-converted penalty that way.

This next round is the last for any real moves up or down the table. Time to go all in.

I'm not sure why Hakimi took that penalty kick while there was a striker on the pitch; I've never trusted PKs with defenders. One drawback of African football is that individuals who play for bigger clubs are constantly eager to make decisions. They are always confident that they can outperform others on the team. Youssef En Nesyri may have done better with that PK. The Northern Africans had conquered it for decades, and their downfall causes me great joy. Remember Eqypt winning 3 consecutive AFCON, they were undisputed.

Congrats to Igebotz and Saint-loup for winning the Round of 16 Yellow Cap

First for the season. Worth it.

[slaman29]

WD Igebotz and Saint-loup, man this is a tough competition. So few games left so the hopes of going up to top 5 is very very difficult now, But they both did it and leaves me to find a way to close the distance. I dropped 4 places to 14th, now I have the exact amount of games left to get those 4 places back for a consolation.

Trofo wooden spoon OMG!

I totally agree with Igebotz, this is the best AFCON ever. Favorites all leaving so soon. Underdogs coming up far. Goals everywhere. Still loads of drama, still loads of cheating ref (duh lol) but we are having a treat.

New winner name I think will be written on this cup!!

Not that I saw many AFCON's, but this one can't be compare with previous tournament. Good number of goals scored, lot of drama and upsets. And all these upsets, we already have 5 Top ranked teams eliminated, I can't imagine such scenario in EURO. But at least I have excuse for my awful performance in pool.
From remaining teams, I already will refrain from predicting who can lift trophy.

It was very good to predict draws with favorites and small upsets. Funny thing is I picked South Africa couple times when they didn't win and then finally when they did, I didn't pick them

[un_rank]

I'm not sure why Hakimi took that penalty kick while there was a striker on the pitch; I've never trusted PKs with defenders.

It was an odd decision really, for a player that has never scored a penalty in his career during regular play.
But I do not think we should go too hard on him, when things do not go to plan, any other option would always look better in hindsight. The best of players can succumb to the pressure when it all rests on their shoulders.

- Jay -

[Igebotz]

Trofo wooden spoon OMG!

Please be easy on him; I've never seen him this quiet after that humbling. well deserved.

I'm not sure why Hakimi took that penalty kick while there was a striker on the pitch; I've never trusted PKs with defenders.

It was an odd decision really, for a player that has never scored a penalty in his career during regular play.
But I do not think we should go too hard on him, when things do not go to plan, any other option would always look better in hindsight. The best of players can succumb to the pressure when it all rests on their shoulders.

It was a dumb move to let someone who had a zero penalty conversion rate take the biggest penalty. Without knowing their penalty taker ahead of time, how in the world can a team prepare for a knockout game? It is not Hakimi's fault for wanting to play the hero, but group success should always take precedence over individual success. He wanted to get into the spotlight so badly.

[slaman29]

Trofo wooden spoon OMG!

Please be easy on him; I've never seen him this quiet after that humbling. well deserved.

Lol no, the table is just too close that everything changes after a few games and now with 8 more games either results are too good to predict and everyone stays the same or people who take different risk approach will be rewarded. I think with all Quarterfinal games over we will know more or less who is who.

I have to take risks now, no choice!!

[un_rank]

It is not Hakimi's fault for wanting to play the hero, but group success should always take precedence over individual success. He wanted to get into the spotlight so badly.

We do not know how exactly it went down. Sometimes a player just feels like it and steps up to take a penalty. Confidence plays a huge part in putting away a penalty so if the designated taker did not much of it, anyone can step up to take it.

If the designated player feels confident, it does not matter how confident any other player is; I remember an incident long ago when Drogba wanted to take a penalty in the golden boot race and Lampard (Chelsea;s PK taker at the time) insisted on taking it as the game was still close. They got another later on when the match was won and Drogba took that.

- Jay -

[Igebotz]

It is not Hakimi's fault for wanting to play the hero, but group success should always take precedence over individual success. He wanted to get into the spotlight so badly.

We do not know how exactly it went down. Sometimes a player just feels like it and steps up to take a penalty. Confidence plays a huge part in putting away a penalty so if the designated taker did not much of it, anyone can step up to take it.

If the designated player feels confident, it does not matter how confident any other player is; I remember an incident long ago when Drogba wanted to take a penalty in the golden boot race and Lampard (Chelsea;s PK taker at the time) insisted on taking it as the game was still close. They got another later on when the match was won and Drogba took that.

My comment was just what happens generally in Africa. The ones playing abroad always want to talk set piece, always want to be in the spotlight. Always felling superior, always want to wear the captain band and so on....

And we hated Lampard for that because it was a big moment for Drogba to overtake Rooney but after that second PK all the hatred died away and that PK gave Drogba the edge.

[Trofo]

I would even give it to you in some pool like Fantasy or Superbru ones. Even organised AFCON so that you are on your home turf and have all possible advantages and you can't even break into the money positions. Give me something to work with man 

The Sherrif - Yellow cap
Trofo - wooden spoon

You needed something to work it now you have it. I fucked you up from the money position and placed myself. If this isn't the GOAT movement then I don't what else you want. Buddy 

Meh, let's see where you will end, I still took home one yellow cap and reward for best yellow cap is still in my hands. 1/3 to be exact. So I have actually secured something in the pool I have no idea about and watched 10 minutes total this year while you still haven't and it is your home competition. Gonna take a bit more.

I fully expected to be last in this one and Round 1 result was a pleasant surprise.

Rooting for your Nigeria today since I have them on a ticket. So you know who to blame when they drop out on penalties.

[casperBGD]

¬snip
I still took home one yellow cap and reward for best yellow cap is still in my hands. 1/3 to be exact.

so there is a reward for a best yellow cap round?
nice, since I should also be eligible as well, as 1/3 from first round, if that is best yellow cap, didn't follow on what numbers finished rounds after that
and it is almost impossible to have better results with these short rounds on kick-out matches

I am on Angola side, following my kid advise, they have fancier flag than Nigeria, but for a pick will think twice

[un_rank]

Rooting for your Nigeria today since I have them on a ticket. So you know who to blame when they drop out on penalties.

They came through. This for me is arguably their best performance of the entire tournament and lays down a marker for all the other teams. If they can work on their finishing to go along with their brilliant defending, they are edging the other teams to win the title.

- Jay -

[Woodie]

Congo the comeback kings!!

I expect Congo to come through with a winner in the second half after that bad call from the Ref to award a penalty which was not deserved by Guinea, but it is what it is when VAR is incompetent no offence...

Congo should be up for the challenge and see them taking this one easily...

[Igebotz]

I would even give it to you in some pool like Fantasy or Superbru ones. Even organised AFCON so that you are on your home turf and have all possible advantages and you can't even break into the money positions. Give me something to work with man 

The Sherrif - Yellow cap
Trofo - wooden spoon

You needed something to work it now you have it. I fucked you up from the money position and placed myself. If this isn't the GOAT movement then I don't what else you want. Buddy 

Meh, let's see where you will end, I still took home one yellow cap and reward for best yellow cap is still in my hands. 1/3 to be exact. So I have actually secured something in the pool I have no idea about and watched 10 minutes total this year while you still haven't and it is your home competition. Gonna take a bit more.

Man, there is no home advantage in the CS prediction pool; if there was, I and Harkorede would be vying for the crown right now because we are both from the same region. You're attempting to severely undermine my efforts. When I was at my lowest point, you were talking down on my team; now that I'm on top, you're still talking down. Give credit when it's due.

Rooting for your Nigeria today since I have them on a ticket. So you know who to blame when they drop out on penalties.

Hit exact score on this one - Thank you VAR.

[Harkorede]

Meh, let's see where you will end, I still took home one yellow cap and reward for best yellow cap is still in my hands. 1/3 to be exact. So I have actually secured something in the pool I have no idea about and watched 10 minutes total this year while you still haven't and it is your home competition. Gonna take a bit more.

Man, there is no home advantage in the CS prediction pool; if there was, I and Harkorede would be vying for the crown right now because we are both from the same region. You're attempting to severely undermine my efforts. When I was at my lowest point, you were talking down on my team; now that I'm on top, you're still talking down. Give credit when it's due.

Rooting for your Nigeria today since I have them on a ticket. So you know who to blame when they drop out on penalties.

Hit exact score on this one - Thank you VAR.

VAR deprived me of the exact score on that one, so you could really thank VAR, but If it was a Chelsea's disallowed goal or imaginary penalty, we would not hear the last of it, because it as though every team in the EPL are rich enough and can afford to bribe the officials or have the FA make regulations in their favour, except for the team that have reportedly spent over €1 billion over two transfer windows, such an irony.


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Back to AFCON, I'm sure every knows already how much of an anomaly this tournament has been, being from Africa doesn't offer the slightest of advantage as far as the SuperBRU pool is concerned.

[Trofo]

Back to AFCON, I'm sure every knows already how much of an anomaly this tournament has been, being from Africa doesn't offer the slightest of advantage as far as the SuperBRU pool is concerned.

I believe it does. Of course it isn't much but you two being from Africa probably means you at least watched some games. Furthermore it means you have more interest with the tournament and much more media coverage. I haven't read a single article about AFCON while it lasts while I daily read at least 10 regarding Premier League and at least 5 regarding my own Croatian league. That translates to much deeper pool of knowledge compared to others and gives you an advantage especially when coupled with historical and political understanding of situation in Africa.

I don't think that as bad thing, it is just what it is. And it doesn't help you always but it does offset your predictions. I am literally picking blindly just by the bookie odds in this pool while I adjust my picks according to the info I have in all other pools I am playing. Not that it did me good this season in most pools but it does make you feel better when you are doing informed decisions.

Still happy to play all of them and count on luck like I had it in round 1 Most of the pools and leagues are based on European football and while it is much better covered in Africa than African football is covered at our countries I still think I have some advantage there. Even if it is just in "I feel like I know what I am doing bias".

[un_rank]

...

It may also go to show that what we consider to be knowledge does not translate to ability to correctly predict match outcomes, and sometimes just winging it and going with your guts can be an effective prediction strategy, with luck playing a little part and staying level headed to adjust your predictions as the tournament goes being vital.

If for example the entire tournament was scratched and started again, do you think the pool standings would be the same or remotely similar at this stage or we would have similar sides in the last 8? I think not.

- Jay -